Eight Belles – Grade II
CD Race #8 7f Dirt Graded Stake
Purse $200.000 For Fillies Three Years Old.
1 You Gotta Believe, trained by Aarons Hosses
This race tends to be a race which mixes failed KYD hopes with sprinters and as such
can be difficult to asses. This filly is one such case with good form over a longer
trip. A hard closing fourth in the Las Virgenes she was then quietly fancied for the
FG Oaks but again got too far back and could only stay on late for seventh. A change
of tactics saw her run well over this trip in her last start when third in the Beaumont
and that run along with a decent draw could see her once again getting some place money.
2 Primera Fajita, trained by EasyMoney Stables
Failed to stay the Oaks trip in trying to qualify and returns to sprinting today which
may reap rewards. Her works have got better and better all year and her good two year
old form certainly give her a chance. I like the pace she showed in winning the DED princes
last year and if she brings that form she will take some beating.
3 City Bus, trained by Tiratzo
This second season trainer has hit gold with this lightly raced filly getting three wins
from three out of her since buying her for just $17.500. Her last start over this trip saw
her win the Beaumont by a length with You Gotta Believe behind a run that was certainly
up with the best of these. Some sizzling works and a super draw her in with a winning
chance.
4 Queen Of Broadway, trained by Riggins Racing
Another lightly raced filly she hasnt achieved as much but with three wins and a second
from four starts you have to give her plenty of respect here. Her only defeat came on turf
so forgiving that she could easily be four from four. Her works are a shade off the fancied
fillies and she has yet to tackle this company so a watch on her at this point may be the
way to go.
5 Known To profit, trained by Nakamura Stables
Another that hasnt tackled this company she is a consistent sort who looks suited by this
trip. She may struggle against the classier fillies but is sure to run her best race.
6 Bus Har Tubbles, trained by Night Rider Stables
She is one of those fillies that seems to be just below graded stakes level but runs well
in company just below that class. A winner of the Gasparilla Stakes against only three rivals
back in January she then struggled a little in The Davona Dale Stakes before running on late
in The Cicada but finishing last. This is a tough grade three and i feel she may be outclassed.
7 Laffin Diplomat, trained by D J C Racing Stables
A winner of The Forward Gal over this trip back in January she went the KYO qualifying way but
always looked like the trip was beyond her. Back to her best distance today she should run well
but i worry a bit about her works which have looked a little slower than some.
8 Drill, trained by Mb Stables
Won the DMR Debutante over this trip as a two year old she has since been struggling to make
the KYO picture but has proved pretty disappointing. She was bought by Mb Stable for $250.000 back
in March a sum which suggests this filly is well up to a race like this and in her first start
for the champion trainer she flew late to be a very close third in the Grade One Ashland. That
improved effort didnt get her into the KYO so she goes for the consolation prize in this and
there will be plenty that throw their money behind her.
9 Stump The Skeleton, trained by Chili King Stables
This daughter of Skeleton Key has been a sprinter longer than most of this field and has done
pretty well in some good fields. A closing eleventh but only beaten three lengths in The Santa
Ynez Stakes at the start of the year she then ran well in a couple of overnights before a
comprehensive win in The Evening Jewel Stakes last time out. I like the fact that she is a
confirmed sprinter and she has some very quick works to match and she may be a dark horse in
a tough contest.
10 Disney Magic, trained by Sarah Stables
Ran a great race in the BC Juvenile Fillies last year to be a close up fourth and confirmed that
form with a stonking win in the grade two Demoiselle. She disappointed in her two KYO qualifiers
and finds herself in thsi race over a trip that may not be ideal. She ran well enough in the
Santa Ynez Stakes at the start of the year to suggest she can sprint at this level so she is in
with a big chance despite a wide draw which may cause her to get too far behind early on.
11 Downtheredcarpet, trained by Barcelona Farms
Another who has been routing in the top grade she has also sprinted nicely a couple of times
winning the Seeking Anita Stakes last year and pacing in the NY Stallion Series at the end
of last year. I am not sure she is as good as Disney Music so with a similar poor draw i think she
may struggle to get through the field late on.
12 Jewel In The Sand, trained by Our Athletes
Won the Grade One Starlet last year over a longer trip and was bought recently for $350. The only
thing that puts me off is that she was bought from Mb Stables and that normally spells the end of a
career for a horse. She ran well enough in the grade three Bourbonette oaks last time to suggest she
has a win in her though but the car park draw may be too much to overcome.
AE Love Appeal, trained by Hay Makers Inc
An improving sort but if she makes the field she may find a few too good.
SUMMARY
A tough race to call but i like City Bus for this with a big run from Disney Music.
Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES
