June 16, 2016

Traditionally held on the undercard to the Grade I Foster Handicap, the Grade II Fleur De Lis Handicap is also a Win-And-You’re-In race for the BC Distaff but really holds only a minor cache compared to races like the Grade I Acorn and Grade I Phipps one week earlier at BEL. As such, it has really only attracted the top fillies and mares over the past 20 of its 40 year history, with winners like Serena’s Song, Escena, Spain, Adoration, Rachel Alexandra and Royal Delta proving best in addition to their multiple Grade I wins and championships. HRP has seen its fair share of good winners but no world beaters as of yet; Angel Of Mercy, Power Rose and Rosemari Perfect are probably amongst the best but this year, a true star of the past will try to re-invigorate her career and in doing so, could rise up to claim her rank among the top of her class once again.

1-Lingerie Fantasy (Four-year-old bay filly / Owner-Jerry Garcia Racing)

With four wins to date and more than $400.000 in earnings, Lingerie Fantasy has been a productive filly for owner Jerry Garcia Racing but has never really stepped up to the upper echelons of her division and could find this field within reach as she searches for her first Graded Stakes score. Second in the Black-Eyed Susan and Spinster last year, she moved from the turf to the dirt for the first time since last November and workouts indicate a hit-and-miss type who did not impress in her last over the track but was good enough to win the Locust Grove last season against older runners.

Analysis-Likes CD but needs to improve over the move from turf

Fair Odds-6/1

2-Skeleton Crafts (Four-year-old black filly / Owner-Mb Stables)

Skeleton Crafts went wire-to-wire in both her maiden win at SA and a state-bred optional claiming win at LA and since both of those were at a route of ground, it is logical to suspect that she will be the controlling speed in the Fleur De Lis. Purchased by her connections for a solid $125.000, she can earn much of that back with a victory here and would not be a surprise to take them gate-to-wire, like Piston Broke did for these same connections two years ago.

Analysis-Speed will try to go as far as she can
Fair Odds-2/1

3-A Class Angie (Five-year-old bay mare / Owner-Night Rider Stables)

A Class Angie has not taken a Graded Stakes win since the DEL Handicap last season but has been improving with each and every start and might have found the best place to solidify her status as one of the best mares of her generation with another huge win at CD. Victory in the La Troienne last year came with a huge speed rating and a repeat of that effort, or even her score in the HOU Ladies Classic, would be enough to upend this field, especially if the pace is quick up front from her inside rival.

Analysis-Should be a top two contender on class alone

Fair Odds-5/2

4-Unsecured (Four-year-old black filly / Owner-Team 7 Illusions)

Second in the WO Oaks and a winner of the Bison City last year, Unsecured has never really been able to compete with the best of open company fillies and mares and even with a last-out win against optional claiming company, needs to really move forward to contend for a winning position at this nine-furlong distance. A lackluster fifth in the Top Flight Handicap two starts back as the odds-on choice, she found her way to a closer trip in her return to WO but really seems to enjoy that track and will be hard pressed to handle this class over an unfamiliar and unforgiving surface.

Analysis-Does not seem to travel as well as others
Fair Odds-10/1

5-Shes A Dog (Four-year-old chestnut filly / Owner-Wolfs Den)

Shes A Dog only has a single win in 14 starts going a route of ground and has really never been anywhere close to this class in her modest career so the likelihood of her handling both classy veterans and up-and-coming young talent is slim and she will be rank outsider in both post and chances. Speed ratings are much lower than most and she does not come in with the greatest of recent form, having closed for fifth in a much easier event; all in all, not the profile you want from a potential Grade II winner who is trying to upend the best from off the pace.

Analysis-Longshot status awaits this moderate filly

Fair Odds-20/1

Overall

The Grade II Fleur De Lis Handicap really comes down to the type of trip that the winner will get and Skeleton Crafts looks to be the lone confirmed speed going nine-furlongs and that is exactly why she ranks as the favourite in this quintet. Purchased by owner Mb Stables with this race in mind, she should be able to hold off the talent of A Class Angie, a Grade I winner over this course last year who seems to be getting better, and Lingerie Fantasy, who has always held her own in this division but never really seems to strike when the iron is hot.

Prediction

Win-Skeleton Crafts (2/1)

Place-A Class Angie (5/2)

Show-Lingerie Fantasy (6/1)

Triple T Racing 🙂

Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES