Schmitt Stakes

 

The inaugural running of the Schmitt Stakes at PLN for three-year-old and upward fillies and mares foaled in CA over 6 furlongs dirt on Saturday for a purse of $75.000 went to The Freakshow’s lightly raced and lightly regarded Coffee Trauma which has now won half of her six starts and her first stakes race. She covered the six furlongs in a decent 1:09 3/5, drawing away at the wire under strong pressure. It’s been a while since I’ve written a preview, but with Coz’s plans to take some time off, I thought I might scrape some rust off and was pleased to see my prediction nailed the top three in order of finish. Yee-haw.

 

Here’s how the field went:

 

 

1^st  2 – Coffee Trauma        Owner: The Freakshow, Jockey: Alvarado F T

 

Coffee Trauma racked up her third straight victory by breaking out in a stalking position in the early going. Alvarado was content to slide her over to the rail and maintain the stalk throughout the backstretch until they started to rally for position on the far turn where a very nice rail whole opened and they slipped through, grabbed the lead midstretch and drew off at the wire under strong pressure. Is a B. f. 3 by Notherns General-Rioja Latte, by Manhunt, bred by the owner.

 

2^nd  4 – English Charm        Owner: Zoeller, Jockey: Martinez C

 

English Charm was the odds-on 4-5 favourite when the gate opened and immediately took to pressuring the lead from just behind the leaders, dueled with Love Analyst to the far turn, then went after the leader into the stretch, racing that one into defeat, but was passed on the inside by the winner during that battle, although still going strong at the end.

 

3^rd  5 – Socrates Sweep        Owner: The Sidley Stud, Jockey: Garcia En

 

Socrates Sweep was placed far back throughout the backstretch, started a late run coming home and just didn’t have enough kick to reach the front two.

 

4^th  3 – Fioraia Ruler        Owner: Avenue Z, Jockey: Espinoza A

 

Trailed early and passed tiring horses.

 

5^th  1 – Flair        Owner: Asgar, Jockey: Antongrgi III W

 

Flair set a brisk pace into the stretch where she stubbornly held on until finally giving up the bit midstretch.

 

6^th  6 – Love Analyst        Owner: Asgar, Jockey: Rivera S

 

Love Analyst forced the issue to the stretch and weakened down the lane.