May 26, 2016

Despite the fact that AP is falling off the radar as a major horse racing locale, the Grade III AP Matron still ranks as an important race in the Distaff division and five solid fillies will take to the main track going nine-furlongs, hoping to parlay their efforts into starts at BEL or SAR in the coming months. To join the likes of Angel Of Mercy, Cymba, Pariah Kite and Shadow Of A Doubt as previous winners, each of the entrants is going to have to improve on their last effort and show that they can handle the class, even if some of them are Graded Stakes winners already and come in with plenty of back class under their belt.

1-Technomin (Three-year-old bay filly / Owner-The Sidley Stud)

Technomin was good enough as a two-year-old to compete in the BC Juvenile Fillies but has not been able to translate that good form to her three-year-old campaign and comes into the Matron off a trio of lackluster efforts that will make her a big longshot. She closed well in the Selene to finish fifth at nearly 56-1 but has really been unable to make any major gains against this level in the past and will be hard pressed to do anything more with a real lack of early speed signed on.

Analysis-Will be clunking along for a minor share

Fair Odds-15/1

2-Behrens Bride (Four-year-old bay filly / Owner-Big Jd Racing)

Behrens Bride is a multiple Grade I winner of nearly $750.000 who has been third in her last three starts and facing moderate company, should be the favourite on Saturday over a fast track of even more so, over a good to muddy track that certainly plays into her strengths. She will be the main speed in her second straight start at a route distance and although she was unable to get to the lead in the Doubledogdare, this is a much more accessible group and anything close to her 99-speed rating earned back at AQU will be enough to win this race.

Analysis-Tons of back class should make her a huge choice

Fair Odds-2/1

3-Iron Fog (Three-year-old bay filly / Owner-Teamf Racing)

Iron Fog clearly improved with the addition of Lasix in her second career start and off that big maiden win, looks to step up even further and shock some seasoned veterans at AP at what could be a better distance for her than for some. That being said, facing older fillies is a tough task and off only two career efforts, even more so; add to that the fact that her best speed rating is only an 87 and she will have to improve by another 10 points just to compete and that is a lot for anyone to expect from such little experience.

Analysis-Makes a huge step forward but might be too much too soon

Fair Odds-20/1

4-Ancient Royalty (Four-year-old bay filly / Owner-Paradise Stable)

It has been a long time since Ancient Royalty visited the winner’s circle and while she has been close in some events, she has also be dismal in others and seems to be the type for a piece but not for the win when all is said and done. Speed ratings have never really been stellar and she has lacked the forward momentum that is needed to win races of this magnitude and she simply needs to be better to hit the board.

Analysis-Never really a factor for the win but always gets a piece

Fair Odds-8/1

5-Pure Lisa (Four-year-old gray filly / Owner-Mb Stables)

Throw out the BC Distaff where she was saddled with post 14 and Grade I winner Pure Lisa is a sharp six-for-nine with speed ratings that rival the best in the field and coming off a sharp second at PRX to a Grade I winner in her own right, she certainly has the class and talent to handle this modest Grade III field. Perfectly handled this season with only two starts so far, she is preparing for a big Summer campaign with this confidence booster and while she does meet a very talented four-year-old with inside speed, there is much to like about this filly and she will definitely be right there at the end.

Analysis-Excellent form and class set her up for a big effort

Fair Odds-5/2

Overall

The Grade III AP Matron is really a two-horse race between Grade I winners Behrens Bride and Pure Lisa and while the latter might have the best form coming in, Behrens Bride is proven over any kind of surface and that makes her the slight choice with inside speed to handle what could be an off-track. Pure Lisa is certainly classy enough to win and gets the outside post and clear running so she could be the best one charging down the AP stretch while Ancient Royalty will probably clunk up for third money but will pose no threat to the top two come Saturday.

Prediction

Win-Behrens Bride (2/1)

Place-Pure Lisa (5/2)

Show-Ancient Royalty (8/1)

Triple T Racing 🙂

Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES