The 17th Running of the G3 Hendrie Stakes
Sunday, July 24, 2022
WO Race #3 $150.000 6.5 Furlongs
3+ F&M 118/123 Lbs (plus penalties)
Track Record-1:14.73 (Aggravating-2021)
Stakes Record-1:15.20 (Dan Patch-2021)
WO will offer a bevy of stakes action on Sunday and the first of two graded races on the card is the G3 Hendrie Stakes for filly and mare sprinters. The sophomores will carry 118-pounds and their elders will be tasked with toting 123 in the 6.5f, $150.000 co-feature. The nine-horse field appears to be a competitive bunch, with no one really standing out above the rest. Let’s take a closer look at the nine ladies contesting the G3 Hendrie Stakes:
#1 Wicked Rule (High Voltage/M. Franco 123): 4yo filly reeled off three consecutive wins before trying a CD G3 the last time we saw her. While she didn’t garner much respect at the windows, she ran her heart out to share the place while beaten only a neck. She gets bonus points for that effort after breaking from the 11-hole and figures to save all of the ground this time with the rail draw.
#2 Story To Tell (Mb Stables/E. Jaramillo 123): 4yo appears to be getting back to the form she displayed as she bridged her juvenile/sophomore campaigns. Last time at CD she was only beaten a half-length in a DH 3rd in a similar spot. She’s drawn better this time around and she has the versatility to do whatever is asked of her.
#3 Free Farley Party (Night Rider Stables/G. Corrales 123): 5yo has found more early speed this season and it’s yielded a 4-2-1-0 start to her season. She’s been competitive while being involved every step of her two G3 tries this season where she was only beaten a length each time.
#4 Last Lady (Lindeman Prairie/L. Saez 123): 4yo has two wins from six starts, but both came at this same level. Gets in without a weight penalty and has demonstrated an appreciation for turning back to sprints after a route. She’s won half of her sprint races in her career and this may be the path she chooses to take as she tries to get to the BC.
#5 Zero Twist (Smokey Stover/R.M. Hernandez 123): 5yo has been snake-bitten in three starts for this barn as she’s only a little more than a length from being 3-3. She likes to sit just off of the speed, and, with some confirmed speed-types drawn inside of her, that should set her up well in this spot. Needs to find that final push to get off of the schneid.
#6 Jenga (Wood Duck Stables/P. Husbands 118): First of two sophomores from this barn, lass has yet to find the winner’s circle this season. Hasn’t shown progression yet since the show effort in KEE G3, but barn is firing on all cylinders so it may just be a matter of time for her to have a breakout performance.
#7 Oceanus (Wood Duck Stables/G. Boulanger 118): Unlike her stablemate, this filly comes in red-hot with back-to-back scores to begin her sophomore campaign. Followed FL-bred MSW tally with a big money allowance score at CD. Takes her first crack at stakes foes of any kind here, but it is encouraging that she’s coming back much quicker than what we’ve seen from her in the past.
#8 Belmont Strong (TwinTowersRacing/J.R. Velazquez 123): Filly has had an up-and-down start to her season. In her defense, the last two are complete toss-outs in regards to how she should run here. Doesn’t appear to appreciate being taken back, so expect this one to be given her head as soon as the gates open.
#9 No Pain (Nj Vets/J.C. Ferrer 118): Filly has yet to show the progression you’d like to see from her juvenile season. She should get a strong pace in front of her in this and that sets up well for her late rally. Didn’t get any favors with this draw, but she’s better playing this game than routing and should be hitting her best stride in the latter stages.
Final Analysis: There aren’t many bad options here, but we’ll go 7-4-5. Oceanus may be untested at this level, but she’s been visually impreesive and we’ll give her the nod in the G3 Hendrie Stakes at WO. Good luck to all of the connections!
Categories: STAKES ARTICLES
