The Pitcher Stakes – Grade III
1 1/16 Mile Dirt Stake Purse $500.000 Filly & Mare 3 Year Olds And Up.

1st American Sky Iolaus Racing Dettori L

A far more conducive early pace saw her lay-up closer than she did in the Phipps last time and she ended up putting that poor effort behind her with a game neck win. Fourth in this race last year when stalking the lead, today she ran her favored running style and managed to get up on the line in a perfectly timed finish from L Dettori. If she can build on this and get the timing right again, she could well put herself into the BC Distaff picture.

2nd Chica Lugo Mb Stables Franco M

Looked to have a good spot in transit, and I thought she may pull it off as they hit the stretch but, in the end, she just got run down in the shadows of the post. A versatile filly running well over a variety of trips, she is certainly looking worth the $425.000 that the trainer paid for her three starts ago. The big question will be where next with her? Sprinting or longer?

3rd Untidy Mb Stables Velazquez J R

I think she would’ve won this if there was some moisture around but on a dry track, she tends to get her strong late finish a bit mis-timed, although on this engine it is very hard to get it right twice in a row. She was on the pace when she won the Phipps but a deep closer today and that may just have been down to the track conditions. Having said all that, this was a big effort and the late run nearly paid off, but like her stable mate there are now questions as to where she goes next. A good winner on turf as well as dirt she has plenty of options going forward.

4th Balius Threshold Lopez P

Started a bit flat footed and had to work to get back to a stalking position and in the end that effort was too much in the run to the line. She looked for a stride or two that she would kick back but ended up in fourth as the closers got straightened up and powered home.

Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES