Natalma Stakes – Grade I [BC]
WO Race #5 1m Turf Graded Stake
Purse $500.000 For Fillies Two Years Old.

1 Light The Universe Riggins Racing Geroux F 120 —

Ran from a wide gate in the Schylerville last time, so her sixth place finish was understandable and bearing in mind she had been off the track for a while, that may have been a better run that it looks on paper. As is typical of the inconsistency of two-year-olds and works in general she went from a sizzling 1.35- and 2-mile work to a 1.36- and 3-mile work in the space of a fortnight but going on that first work she looks to have a place on turf over this sort of trip. A close to the pace runner that will be an advantage from this inside gate, and I expect a much better effort today.

2 Tactical Spin Alydar Stables Wilson E J 120 —

Looked at home on the grass when easily winning her maiden on this track last time but that was a small field, and this is a step up in class. It is hard to line her up but with a good draw and a trainer that knows how to win big races, I would be expecting a good run from her.

3 Creepy Runner Party Mb Stables Ortiz I Jr 120 —

Took The Bolton Landing last time with a strong finish suggesting this trip will be well within her scope. She has run four solid races and proved her class gene last time so coming from the champion trainer and running from a nice draw I would expect her to be among the favorites to secure a BC spot.

4 Klassy Kat Riggins Racing Hernandez R M 120 —

The second runner from the in-form stable and two nice draws which is a great advantage in an open race like this. She has made all to win her last two going from five furlongs to a mile and sixteenth with no problem, so she looks suited to a race like this with her running style being another big tick in the box. Solid works improving form, proven at the trip, she looks like a huge chance.

5 Houseofidentity Noblepark Buick W T 120 —

Ran a great race from a horrible draw in the grade three Sorrento Stakes last time when finishing hard for second and though that was on the dirt, I would expect that sort of run to make her a big chance here. Unbeaten in two before that, this is an interesting switch in surfaces as she takes on her first turf race.

6 Duchess Of Soho Allinthegate Gutierrez Mario 120 —

Working well enough to be a contender here but so far, her form is lacking a bit on paper. She wasn’t suited by the off-track last time when fourth but that was still a good step up from her TUP maiden win and if she grows a leg on the grass here could be a surprise package.

7 Matey Red Fox Farms Centeno D E 120 —

The stable is in great form with their juveniles and bring this unbeaten son of Copper Bottom here to try and continue their great season. She already has two stakes wins to her name and stretched out over six and a half last time suggesting that this trip won’t be a problem. Centeno takes that saddle again today and I will be looking for her late.

8 Ruths House TwinTowersRacing Bridgmohan S X 120 —

Took to the turf like a duck to water last time winning a good maiden at MTH from a tough draw and working a very nice 1.35 and 2 for the mile a couple of weeks later. She once again gets a rough hand from the draw monster, but I think she may be good enough to find her way round that again if the race engine is kind to her.

9 Light It Up Mb Stables Velazquez J R 120 —

Took her maiden last time on an off track so any rain won’t bother her and has run three good races in tough maiden company suggesting she is up to this sort of race with normal improvement. The champion trainer has the right jockey on board to make good choices from this wide gate and it wouldn’t surprise me to see her winning.

10 Puzzlement Maxmillion Farm Jimenez A 120 —

The turf king knows a turf horse when they see one and bought this one from the big Fractious sale in the auction after four runs on the dirt. Right out of the gate this daughter of I Want More went 1.35 and 2 in a mile work and finds herself in a BC qualifier just a few days after being moved to Maxmillions stable. The outside gate won’t make it easy, but the stable is in form and that can count for a lot (although there isn’t apparently anything written in the code about stable winning or losing streaks) so watch out for her.

SUMMARY

A tough race to call as all these juvenile races are. I am thinking Puzzlement may be a threat even from the wide draw, but I really like Ruths House from TwinTowersRacing. Both of them have a wide draw so will rely on some race engine help so a safer bet may be Creepy Runner Party from a soft gate from Mb Stables.

Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES