June 21, 2016

There were some very seasoned veterans in the Grade II Fleur De Lis Handicap and that led to some very even weights but when the annual race was over on Saturday afternoon, Skeleton Crafts was all the rage in a sharp 1.5-length score that solidified her status as a new up-and-comer in the Distaff division. Purchased for $125.000 after a big score at LA, she earned almost earned that price back here with her third win in five starts this season and now sports nearly $200.000 in lifetime receipts for her ever improving efforts.

As expected, Skeleton Crafts (*1.80) broke very sharply in the Fleur De Lis but Unsecured (2.25) sprinted forward to set the early pace with Lingerie Fantasy (2.95) holding well in third from her rail position. By the time the quintet hit the first turn, everyone was almost in single file with the leader down to the rail and the only mare out of contention was Shes A Dog (6.95), who was seven-lengths back after a slow start. Unsecured was more than a length to the good as they hit the backstretch with Skeleton Crafts two-wide in second and as they moved past a half-mile in a modest 48.19, she was already inching forward with eyes on the lead heading into the final bend. The two frontrunners raced in tandem but the favourite started getting the better of her well-backed rival through six-furlongs in 1:11.84 and at the top of the stretch, she was a length in advance with Lingerie Fantasy angling out into the three-path and A Class Angie (6.15) trying to make a run from well off the pace. Unsecured was finished and Lingerie Fantasy was making a minor rally but with one-furlong to go, Skeleton Crafts was in complete command and cruised to the wire 1.5-lengths to the good, with A Class Angie running on late for second over Lingerie Fantasy. Unsecured faded when it counted against open company while Shes A Dog found her best way too late and ended up last the entire way in what has been the continuation of a disappointing season.

Skeleton Crafts was the new shooter in the Grade II Fleur De Lis and had the most to prove off a huge win at LA, and came up with the goods in a very sensible win in her return to CD while adding the first of what should be more than a few stakes victories. It would be nice to see her return to DMR for a start in the Grade I Hirsch but keeping her from other rivals might be the best option and you could see her in a race like the ONT Matron of even the Shuvee over a tough SAR main track.

Congratulations goes out to owner Mb Stables and their four-year-old filly Skeleton Crafts, a going-away winner of the Grade II Fleur De Lis Handicap at CD!

Prediction                Skeleton Crafts / A Class Angie / Lingerie Fantasy

Winner                     Skeleton Crafts

                                    Four-year-old black filly

                                    Skeleton Key-Arts An Crafts (Auto-Generated)

Owner                       Mb Stables

Time                           48.19, 1:11.84, 1:35.90, 1:48.54

Overall

Skeleton Crafts        *1.80 broke sharp, patient ride, clear late

A Class Angie          6.15 wide into lane, up for second

Lingerie Fantasy    2.95 inside run, minor late move

Unsecured                 2.25 set pace, weakened when asked

Shes A Dog               6.95 no factor

Triple T Racing 🙂

Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES