4/29/23
3 SA Santa Maria Stakes (GII) 
$200.000 4yo&Up F&M 1 1/16m Dirt 123lbs +penalties
We stay on the left coast and take a look at the older spinsters, set to go a mile and a sixteenth on the main track here at SA, in the Santa Maria Stakes (GII). Drink Me Pretty is a threat every single time she loads into the gate, and she will be my top selections here today. She’s still looking for her first ’23 win, but this looks like the spot. I’ll go right next door and give Queen Mother a shot at the top prize. She won her ’23 debut vs. Alw horses, but that was off of a 90+ day vacation, so she looks sharp and ready to get back into the black-type company.
Here’s The Field –
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Minx | D J C Racing Stables | Smith M E | 123 | 5/1 |
Was on quite a roll, running 1-2-3 in a ton of races, and she won four races from ten starts last season… then, the Azeri BC (GII) happened. She beat one in that race… but… you know how I feel about OP and that it’s a track that will make a horse bounce… give her a pass on that and look for her to rebound.
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Chance In Graceland | Night Rider Stables | Espinoza V | 123 | 6/1 |
Two wins coming into this one, but those were at the Alw level, and this is tougher than that… but don’t be fooled, she has some serious back-class like that third in the DEL Hcp (GII), so she can handle her own with the big horses. Still, she’s going to need her best today.
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Drink Me Pretty | Mb Stables | Van Dyke D | 123 | 9/5 |
Three thirds in a row as she enters this one, but I think she has to be considered the one to get past. Closed out ’22 with a third in the BC Distaff (GI), then the same ending in the HOU Ladies (GIII) and the Beholder Mile (GI), all three of those on a wet track. If she runs back to that Personal Ensign (GI) win, the party is over.
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Queen Mother | Wood Duck Stables | Vazquez R A | 123 | 4/1 |
Won her ’23 debut, taking down Alw types of this track. She had three wins last season while knocking down nice paychecks, so give her a big shot to be in the picture here, as well. Does she ever run a bad race?
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Lady Sammyantha | The Sidley Stud | Maldonado E | 123 | 4/1 |
Another solid stakes mare that just churns checks and gets the job done. Two wins last season, both at the graded level, and she bounced back nicely after a sixth in the Hurricane Bertie (GIII) to close well and just miss in the Distaff (GIII) at AQU, in her most recent.
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Tenrikyo | Smokey Stover | Cedillo A | 123 | 7/2 |
On the board in nine-of-ten last season, including some big, graded efforts like that win in the Hirsch (GI) at DMR. ’23 hasn’t been so kind to the 7yo, as she’s been off the board in both the Inside Information (GII) and fifth in the Beholder (GI). Still, you have to respect her.
COZMAN 3 / 4 Willie’s Green Card 5 / 4
Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES
