Beholder Mile – Grade I
SA Race #7 1m Dirt Graded Stake
Purse $500.000 For Fillies And Mares Four Years Old And Upward.
Maybe it’s the time of year but this race always flies a little under the radar when it comes to BC runners later in the year. This year however we see a strong field and any one of them could turn out to be a major contender. With half the field being taken up by the two big, big breeders in the game, it is clear that they have targeted this grade one for their future breeding stock and a pathway to the BC, but can this race go to one of the owners that are represented with just the one runner?
Let’s take a look:
1 Starship Twister TwinTowersRacing Gaffalione T 123 —
This is a real solid mare who always gives her best against any level as she showed when third in the Hirsch at grade one last year and The Apple Blossom Handicap at the same level. She showed her well-being with another solid run in The Inside Information on seasonal debut just behind I No Doubt and ahead of Tenrikyo over a trip that was short of her best, so I expect a bit of improvement over this extra furlong. She is sure to give a good account of herself and a win wouldn’t be a surprise, but I feel she may be more likely to fill a place than the winner’s circle.
2 Theres No Doubt Angelos Stable Rodriguez A R 123 —
The winner of over $1,000.000, her best form has been over seven furlongs although she has stretched out pretty well and ran a pretty good race in the KY Oaks considering she probably didn’t stay the trip. A close second in The Inside Information she beat everything she meets today she then went on for a hard-fought win in the Fritchie last time beating the very useful Christina G. A great draw and plenty of fitness and upward motion on her side she is a strong chance here even though she may get out of puff in the final furlong.
3 Always A Virgin Tinkey Ortiz I Jr 123 —
Lightly raced this one has been brilliantly handled by the veteran player who may not have many top horses in their barn but certainly knows how to play with the big boys when they need to. She won four of her first five races culminating in the grade three Seaway and then ran very well in the TC Of America when second from a car park draw. She has been stepped up in trip in her last two and done well enough to place and i really liked her 1.10 flat work in January before her seasonal debut over ground in the Bayakoa. She could easily surprise a few here and may be the dark horse in the race.
4 Jinxed Artist Smokey Stover Cedillo A 123 —
The first of three from the stable and as usual the random draw seems to have randomly lumped them all together. Of the three this four-year-old is the least accomplished but let’s not forget she was second in the MTH Oaks and the grade one Cottilion last year and is just as strong on the work out track as her more esteemed stable mates so she may take advantage of the best draw of the three and come out on top. She had a pipe opener at SA in an optional Claimer and did well without impressing but is sure to be ready to do her best today.
5 Exactly Smokey Stover Van Dyke D 123 —
The KYO winner from last year she didn’t win again until she came all the way back in class to an optional claimer last year, but it is hard to say she was disappointing after placing in stakes company. She was a bit of a no show in The Distaff and was disappointing in the HOU Ladies Classic on seasonal debut so comes here today with something to prove after her early career success.
6 Tenrikyo Smokey Stover Vazquez R A 123 —
This seven-year-old won two grade ones last year so it is hard to say she wasn’t near her best which had seen her cash cheques in two BC Distaffs and of course win the KYO in 2019 but there were definitely a few runs which were below par. The same could be said for her seasonal debut in the Inside Information but she was making nice ground at the end over a trip that may have been a bit sharp. I wouldn’t write her off yet, but she does need to bring her A game to win.
7 Better In Leather Allinthegate Geroux F 123 —
This remarkable seven-year-old has won nearly half of her 30 races and deserves a shot at taking on some of the best fillies and mares today. Well placed for maximum results she hasn’t really taken on this level before, but this change of tack may have been prompted by her seasonal debut win in an open Allowance at SA which was a stakes races in everything but name. She knows how to win on the new engine and is consistent, and I certainly think she can surprise a few of the bigger names.
8 Retrospect Mb Stables Loveberry J 123 —
The first of the two runners from Mb Stables this one is a really consistent sort who is certainly laying down the sort of works to win a race like this. Generally racing at lower level, she has been picking up nice purses at state bred level without being asked to take on this sort of class, but she is another that could well step up. The 1.36 and 1 work in Feb says she is easily capable of the win.
9 Laffy Crack Night Rider Stables Ortiz J L 123 —
Fourth in the BC Distaff last year she also dead heated with Tenrikyo in the grade one Hirsch which certainly puts her in this race with a winning chance. She flew home for fourth from an awful position in the Royal Delta on seasonal debut and may have to try the same again from this draw but at her best and with a bit of the luck this stable has been experiencing she could easily add to her $1.500.000 in prize money.
10 Drink Me Pretty Mb Stables Talamo J 123 —
There isn’t much this mare hasn’t achieved already apart from win a BC race although she has managed two seconds and a third in championship races so there is no doubting her class and ability. The car park will make things harder for her, but she is certainly capable of overcoming the handicap as she proved when she ran from gate 14 in the BC Juvenile back in 2019. She looked as good as ever on her seasonal debut in the HOU Ladies Classic and her works are as strong as ever if not stronger. Must be the first choice even from this gate.
SUMMARY
Drink Me Pretty is certainly a standout in this competitive race but the wide gate is always a worry and if you want to go outside the box there are a couple of others who may be competitive here. I think the value in the race though may be Always A Virgin who is still on the up and may just surprise.
Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES
