The Davona Dale Stakes – Grade 2
GP – 1Mile – Dirt
For Fillies Three Years Old
March 4, 2023
With the race to the KY Oaks heating up, it’s hard to believe so many of these fillies have never faced each other before. On the other hand, there are a significant number who have. Three in this race are graduates of the Las Virgenes – Dolly P, Muddy Buddy and Perfect Illusion. This race could be a rematch between Dolly P who finished 2nd and Muddy Buddy who finished 3rd. Calm Fury and Ignore Tucker both made appearances in the BC Juvenile Fillies and Calm Fury could be first at the wire in this one.
Siouxbiscuit won the Forward Gal last out and should not be overlooked. Fire Artiste finished fourth in that one and looks for another shot.
With so many fillies untested at a mile, this race could have some surprises. No matter who steps up, the winner takes home 50 KY Oaks points.
1 Perfect Illusion (Allinthegate)
Won the Soviet Problem in Cal-bred company two starts back on a muddy track, coming from well off the pace. Was closer early in her last start, the Las Virgenes (Grade 3) but faded to finish sixth. She’ll need to bring her A-game to get a win here.
2 Ignore Tucker (Fractious)
Won the Sorority Stakes (Grade 2) last August, which got her a berth in the BC Juvenile Fillies. Didn’t fare well that day and hasn’t shown much since. Distance is a question mark.
3 Siouxbiscuit (Mb Stables)
Finished second in the Santa Ynez (Grade 2), then followed that up with a win in the Forward Gal (Grade 3) last out. Has been very consistent sprinting, but her only start at a mile or more resulted in a fifth-place finish in the FLSS – My Dear against FL-breds. Another one with a big distance question mark. Works say she’s good to go.
4 Dolly P (Arindel)
Another graduate of the Las Virgenes (Grade 3). Finished second that day. Can she get the win money here? She has a good chance of doing just that and going home with an additional 50 KY Oaks points.
5 Muddy Buddy (Mb Stables)
Finished just behind Dolly P in the Las Virgenes and is looking for a rematch. Her works are not as strong as Dolly P’s but she puts it all on the track, never finishing worse than third in five starts. That’s enough to earn her a look.
6 Authority Figure (Tockyocky)
Coming in on a three-race win streak. Making her graded stakes debut here after winning the $125.000 Gasparilla last out. Lack of experience may hurt this one, and she is untested beyond 7 furlongs.
7 Racket Sinner (Riggins Racing)
Won the $100.000 Ruthless last start. Placed in the Generous Portion back in September. Her record of never being worse than second in five starts says she belongs here, but like a few others in here, she is untested beyond 7 furlongs. Works are not as strong as some.
8 Toppifiant (Our Athletes)
Looking to turn a three-race win streak into four. Making her first graded appearance and her first start beyond 6 furlongs. But she’s working well, and she’s only lost once in four starts. Still, this is a big step up for her.
9 Majestic Chai (TwinTowersRacing)
Won the $200.000 Maid of the Mist in October, followed that up with a second in the Demoiselle (Grade 2) before trying the boys in the Withers where she finished well up the track. Should be a better spot for her, and a win wouldn’t be a surprise.
10 Calm Fury (Mb Stables)
Mb Stables third entry, this one finished second in the BC Juvenile Fillies, but hasn’t shown much since, with a tenth in the Starlet (Grade 1) and a sixth in the Martha Washington. She is going to have to step up her game and get back to the form that got her to the BC Juvenile Fillies if she’s going to compete here.
11 Fire Artiste (Alydar Stables)
Won the $100.000 Glitter Woman, then finished fourth in the Forward Gal (Grade 3) last out. Works look strong, but another one untested at a mile or longer.
12 Groovy (Calia Stable)
Tested at a mile, but on turf. Second in the Ginger Brew two back, then didn’t hit the board in the Lady Shadwell last out. If she can transfer her turf form to dirt, she could have a say in this one, but this is her graded debut and her first time going a distance on dirt. Too many question marks.
Picks: 10-4-9
Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES
