The 19th Running of The Acorn-G1
Saturday, June 11, 2022
BEL Race #7 $500.000 1-Mile Dirt
3YO Fillies 122 Lbs
Track Record-1:33.34 (Alpha Ultimo-2005)
Stakes Record-1:34.90 (Odd Trek-2020)
The Saturday stakes action at BEL is jam packed and the 19th running of The Acorn-G1 is just another example onn an excellent card. Run at a flat mile for sophomore fillies carrying 122-pounds, The Acorn-G1 has historically drawn some of the division’s best. Trainers Dynark Stables (2008, 2011) and D J C Racing Stables (2019, 2020) have each taken two of these late spring staples and D J C will try to take the solo lead with Catori this year.
The Acorn-G1 drew a field of ten this year, but only nine are scheduled to compete after Bella Chica was withdrawn following the post position draw. Seven of the nine left are GSW and all nine exit KYO/KYD weekend races at CD. Here’s a look athe field for The Acorn-G1:
#1 Lassitude (TwinTowersRacing/Ru. Gonzalez): G2 Eight Belles victress in her last, she gets the rail and looks to take her second graded stake in a row. She laid just off of the pace last month and looks well-suited to get the same trip here. Now, the Eight Belles was only her second win from eleven starts, so there may still be some doubters; however, she was good enough as a juvenile to qualify for the G1 BC Juvenile Fillies. She’s 0-5 going long, but she’s the only runner in here who won their last start.
#2 Shadow Police (Smokey Stover/E. Jaramillo): Talented filly has been campaigning exclusively against the boys this season, and she got enough done to earn a spot in the gate for the KYD. She didn’t do much running from a wide gate and had to settle for 13th, but she has had plenty of time to get over that disappointment. Has some versatility to he running style, but have to expect her to go forward from this advantageous draw. These fillies aren’t slouches; however, expect her to be very competitive in this spot.
#3 Spearmint Rhino (Arindel/T.J. Pereira): G3 Beaumont winner didn’t fire at CD last month, but she’s done some good work in the am since that effort and looks poised to try a route of ground for a second time. Her two G2 wins came using differing tactics, so she’ll have some options when the gate spring open, and this will be only the seventh start of her career so there’s still an expectation that she will continue to get better. Can’t afford to get too far back against these, but expect a better run from her in this one.
#4 Paris Broadway (Arindel/J.R. Velazquez): Drawn just outside her stablemate, lass began her sophomore season with back-to-back wins in KYO preps before fading to sixth in the G1 KYO last time. She’s posted two strong works since and draws well for this assignment. Has a bit more early foot than both of her barnmates in here and expect her to mix it up from the jump. She’s proven against graded company and should produce a better effort in her second crack at G1 foes.
#5 Thor (Winning Link Stables/L. Saez): Lass ran on well to finish 3rd in the G2 Eight Belles in what was only her 4th career start. Only has the maiden-breaker to her credit, but she looks like the type of horse that is always going to produce her run. Filly has tons of upside and only figures to get better as the season progresses. She’s on a good progression and, while she may not win this, this wouldn’t be a bad horse to own going forward.
#6 Catori (D J C Racing Stables/K. Carmouche): Filly had been a bit of a speed ball prior to the off-the-pace run in the G2 Eight Belles. She passed a couple of horses through the lane last month, but could only manage 4th in her first crack at graded competition. Trainer has won two of the last three runnings of this race, so he knows what to look for and it has to be encouraging that this is the lass he chose to send in this spot. Think she gets back on the gas for this and could give them some problems when they make the turn into the stretch.
#7 Derby Connection (Mb Stables/M. Franco): G1 KYO runner-up was purchased for $600.000 after that effort and makes the first start for the new connections in a logical spot. Interestingly, conditioner hasn’t had a winner of this event yet, so have to imagine he thinks highly of her to spot her here. Didn’t win the draw by any means, but she drew better than her two stablemates and gets the services of one of the barn’s preferred jocks. You don’t put that kind of money down without some level of expectation for return on investment and G1 winner looks fully capable of competing in this spot.
#8 Bella Chica (SCRATCHED)
#9 Curlina (Arindel/J.C. Ferrer): Third of three for the barn draws the nine-hole after back-to-back OTB finishes in her last two. Filly couldn’t take advantage of an inside draw last month in the G1 KYO, but she is a G2 winner at this one-turn mile distance. She wants to be a couple of lengths off of the pace, so this draw complicates her trip but there’s no denying her talent. Think she runs better than last month and looks capable of getting a slice.
#10 Main Flirt (Mb Stables/A. Cedillo): $450.000 late January purchase hasn’t found the winner’s circle in three starts for the new barn and didn’t draw well for this assignment. Like a number of these, she likes to get settled before making a rally, so what kind of trip she can get from out could limit the effectiveness of her run. It is interesting that she stays in the field while one of her stablemates inside of her was withdrawn after posts were drawn. The barn has an empty space in the trophy case for this event and looks to have two legitimate shots.
Final Analysis: Any of these could be the winner in this, but we’re going 2-7-3 in the 19th running of The Acorn-G1. Good luck to all of the connections in this and all of their races this weekend!
Categories: STAKES ARTICLES
