Spinster – Grade 1 – $600.000
For Fillies and Mares Three Years Old and Upward
1 1/8 Mile – Dirt
October 9, 2022
A full field of fillies and mares will go into the gate in the Spinster. One will come out with a ticket to the BC Distaff. It could very well be Drink Me Pretty, winner of the Personal Ensign (Grade 1). Then again, Z Command will get a second shot at her after finishing second in that race. Both seem to be at the top of their game, as does Fashionable if you throw out a lackluster performance in the Personal Ensign. Tell Milady has been burning up the track in allowance and stakes company this year and could get past them all with a big effort.
Let’s look at the field:
#1 Fashionable (Mb Stables) Looked really strong early this year but hasn’t been running to that form recently. Finished 8th last out in the Personal Ensign (Grade 1). Before that, was third in the Pitcher Stakes (Grade 3). Will need to bring her A game to win here.
(2) Tell Milady (Nakamura Stables) Won in optional allowance company last out. Put together a string of third place or better performances before that but is winless in graded company. Tough spot to try and step up.
#3 Wbf No Regrets (TwinTowersRacing) Seven-year-old mare with thirteen wins in her long career. Hasn’t been running up to form in her last couple of efforts since finishing second in the NY (Grade 1) back in June.
#4 Villeneuve (Mo Mentum Farm) Has a maiden and allowance win to her credit, but has only tried graded company once, that in the Pucher Up Stakes (Grade 3) where she finished fifth. Second in the $250.000 Wonder Where Stakes last start. May lack the experience to compete here.
#5 Mag Of (Greyfriars Stable) Hasn’t not been to the winner’s circle since winning the FG Oaks (Grade 2) March 2021. Is graded stakes placed, but not lately. May be asking too much here.
#6 Shes A Super Freak (YME Stable) Won the Grade 2 Shuvee two starts back, then came in eleventh and last in the Personal Ensign (Grade 1) last start. This four-year-old filly is a grade 1 winner and could be in the mix with a good trip and some racing luck.
#7 Drink Me Pretty (Mb Stables) Won the Personal Ensign (Grade 1) last start after finishing third in the Shuvee (Grade 2) and a win in the Allaire Distaff (Grade 3) before that. Should have a say in the outcome and a win would not be a surprise.
#8 Fearless Move (Asgar) Allowance winner but has never tried graded company before. Don’t see her stepping up to that level against these.
#9 (TwinTowersRacing) Multiple graded stakes winner. Has been close a couple of times lately, including a third in the Beverly D (Grade 1) and a second in the Derby City Distaff (Grade1). This could be the time she earns her first win in Grade 1 company, but she will need a big effort.
#10 Precise Performance (Mb Stables) Grade 2 winner of the DEL Handicap (Graded 2) but couldn’t hit the board in her last two attempts. Strong competitor in a tough spot.
#11 Hot Summer (D J C Racing Stables) Has not won a race this year in six tries. Her best effort in 2022 came in the Apple Blossom Handicap (Grade 1) in April where she finished second. Seems a bit outclassed in this field.
#12 Z Command (Smokey Stover) Second in the Personal Ensign (Grade 1) last out after winning the Pitcher Stakes (Grade 3). Has only finished off the board once in six starts this year. Should be very competitive here and could be first at the wire.
#13 Laffy Crack (Night Rider Stables) Back-to-back wins in graded company, including a win in the Hirsch Stakes (Grade 1) before finishing fifth in the Personal Ensign (Grade 1). That was on a short turnaround. Should fare better here and could get a piece of the purse.
#14 Forever Phooey Party (Arindel) Wire-to-wire win in allowance company at SAR last out. Has not performed well in graded company after a second-place performance in the Bayakoa Handicap (Grade 3) in December. Another one that will need a big effort.
Picks: 7-12-2
Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES
