Durante Stakes – Grade III
DMR Race #9 1m Turf Graded Stake
Purse $100.000 For Fillies Two Years Old.
1 Psycho Girl Arkansas Elite Wenc I C 120 —
She took seven goes to break her maiden and only managed it on an off track in a state bred five furlong race at GG so there must be a question mark about this mile today. Her works have been better than her form so it may be that she just needed to learn her trade and though she hadn’t won in her previous six she had placed 4 times at a decent enough level. She is not a stand out but with a nice gate if she can find the second group she would have a chance.
2 Raw And Real Mb Stables Eikleberry R 120 —
A stakes winner last time and the winner of three from five she would have to be a great chance from the perfect draw even if she wasn’t from Mb’s massive stable. The fact that she is handled by the champion trainer is just another tick in the box for her with the only minor drawback being her works which aren’t as sharp as some. these days though works means a little less than they did and she is proven up to the mile so she will be among the favorites to win.
3 Fly By Night Bigchief Stables Maldonado E 120 —
A good maiden winner on an off track she went to the grade three Surfer Girl Stakes a bit of an unknown quantity but ran well enough to suggest she is up to this grade. A clear leader at a solid pace early on she weakened late that day but was still only beaten a length which was a decent performance. A good draw today and no reason why she wont be right in it again.
4 Pelucha Avenue Z Crawford J 120 —
Another that took a few goes to win her maiden but she has since won an allowance to back that up and looks to appreciate a turf mile which will be an advantage. She has run on pace in her last three so i expect the same today but there could be some pressure up front so she will need to be ready to slip into the stalk if required. The jockey is in good form and on her win last time in a big ticket allowance i see no reason why she wont be among the top competitors here.
5 Wam Bam Thank U Maam Luz International Davis D 120 —
I rather like the look of this ones form and she may just be the one to give some value in the betting market. Just Ok on the dirt i really liked the way she improved when put to the turf and a longer trip to trounce a good maiden field at PRX. Her works are strong and a mid field draw should help her sit in mid-pack and launch down the stretch.
6 Golden Glows Night Rider Stables Hernandez J J 120 —
Another that stepped up when put on the turf and over a trip but that was a maiden claimer at GG so she still has something to prove at this level. The trainer is well known for pulling off surprises with claiming types though and her works are solid so she cannot be written off.
7 Greyfriars Red Greyfriars Stable Rispoli U 120 —
Looks like a natural closer which can be tough under this engine but she is suited by the surface and trip so has been thrown in to have a go. There is a possibility that the pace could be hot with so many natural on pace types so she may just find she can pick them off wide and late.
8 Stop Thinking Rampage Stable Van Dyke D 120 —
Another that closed to win her maiden and allowance really well she found it harder to run that style when put into stakes grade ending up fifth in the Matron. In real life it would’ve been a black book run after starting slowly she made ground nicely and was only beaten three lengths in the end. At HRP however it seems there are very few scenario’s where the horse that breaks last can ever run past them all so she will have to rely on some click and play magic from the trainer or a lot of luck. With a possible fast pace she may get it and i would have her on my list of maybe’s.
9 Even Flow Big Guns Stables Bravo J 120 —
You can never knock a horse that had run three times and won them all even if it has been at much lower grade. The truth is even the BC winners can struggle to win at FL so in my book winning form is good form and she has plenty of that. Leading all the way in all her runs so far she may be suited by some wide gate speed push here and get herself in the lead again and if she can do that at a reasonable pace she may take some beating. This is her first run on turf but at HRP that isn’t really a factor.
10 Rekindle Mb Stables Rocco J S Jr 120 —
A strong worker she has won two from four but that may be down to her early speed rather than her ability. There is early pace in this race so if she can get into the third group and the speed is on she may have a chance but i tend to favor her stable mate for this.
11 12 Keys Allinthegate Gutierrez Mario 120 —
A real consistent type who has been running well at the high level in Allowance company which is pretty much stakes company here at HRP. Thus she may just be the dark horse here with some strong works and plenty of experience. All of her runs have been in sprints so far but her turf works have been really encouraging over seven furlongs and a mile and i expect her to improve for this step up in trip.
12 Sarati Sccj Stables Garcia Mar 120 —
Took a while to clear maidens but then really well in a high level allowance last time suggesting she is up to this grade now. Her works are sharp but she will need some luck to get a stalk without running too wide, if that happens she is not without a shout in a very open race.
SUMMARY
It doesn’t get tougher to pick a winner than this race but i rather like a couple who may be overlooked in this field. I will have a little n each of three in the hope one of them comes in at a big price, they are Wam Bam Thank U Maam, Stop Thinking and Even Flow but if your horse is not one of those don’t worry because any of this field can win.
Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES
