8/28/22
7 SAR The Ballerina (GI) [BC]
$600.000 4yo&Up F&M 7f Dirt 3yo 119lbs Older 124lbs
Sunday Stakes at SAR… and it’s of the sprinting matron variety, as we look at the field for the Ballerina (GI). This may be the most wide open race I’ve ever seen at HRP, at least at this level… I will not be surprise by any outcome here, so I’m skipping the handicapping side of things and will review the Green Card selections as he takes Last Call As the top selection. She has a pair of wins this year, and I wouldn’t be shocked by her winning this. The card took the one horse, Zombie Storm, as the second pick in this tough bunch. She’s very consistent and very fast, and that’s what you need in this type of race. Lassitude is the third selection for that side of the house and she did take down the Eight Belles (GII) and loves the distance.
Here’s The Field –
Nice win last out taking the Chicago (GIII) at CD as they moved the races from AP to the Twin Spires. That was her second graded score of the ’22 season and she was third in the Santa Margarita (GII) as well. She’s certainly a horse with a chance and may have some odds with her, as well.
Had a nice string of solid starts including a nice win in the Bed O Roses (GII), but chucked a bit of a clunker in the The Pitcher (GIII), last out. Still she’s been on the board in fourteen of seventeen starts, so you can never count her out.
She certainly knows how to make money, and looked good taking the Derby City (GI) back in May. She’s been close in a couple of Alw races since then, and goes back up the ladder looking for another big payday.
Super solid filly that is quick and never runs a bad race. Had three wins in a row, then was second (DH) in the Chicago (GIII) and third in the Hendrie (GIII), so this is a spot where you have to think her best would put her in the thick of it.
Got the job done in the Victory Road (GIII) and just missed in both the Acorn (GI) and the Test (GI), sandwiched around that win. I think she is the horse to beat today, and would not bet against her, even though this is a tough tough field.
Lightly raced, but she just keep advancing through the ranks without much of a blemish. Broke maiden at GP, took down an Alw field at CD then won the Hendrie (GIII) at WO last out. She has speed to burn, and could be any type… the stable has to be tickled with her.
She sold back in Mar and hasn’t won for the new connections, but she’s been close. Second int he Vinery Madison (GI) at KEE, and Chicago (GIII) at CD, and was third in the Derby City (GIII). Tired to be sixth as the post time favorite in the Hendrie (GIII) so she has to improve to be a factor today.
From the big barn and she never misses a check. On the board in four of five this year, the other race was a fourth, so she still got a check and add in that she was second or third in her last three, all graded races… you know she’s dangerous.
She threw a clunker when she tired in the Davona Dale (GII) back in Mar, but other than that, she’s right there in every single race. Nice win in the slop iat CD vs. high end Alw company, then just missed in the Pitcher (GIII) last out, and I think you have to watch her today.
Still looking for her first win of the year, but woke up after a pair of seventh place finishes, taking the second spot in the Princess Rooney (GII) at GP after setting the pace to deep stretch in that one. Did she turn it around?
The down side is she only has one win this season and it was her only time on the board, as she took down the Eight Belles (GII) at CD back in May. But that was her only race less than a mile and we are going seven panels today… can that be the difference?
No doubt, seven furlongs is her quest, and she won the Vinery Madison (GI) …and don’t forget, she took down the BC F&M Sprint (GI) last year, at this same distance. Her best is tough to beat… always give her a chance.
Would need some help to draw into this… but I’m not sure she wants any parts of this group.
COZMAN N/A Willie’s Green Card 9 / 1 / 11
Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES
