The Ladies Handicap
AQU Race #1 1 1/8m Dirt Stake
Purse $150.00 (plus up to $22.50 for NY-breds) For Fillies And Mares Four Years Old And Upward.

1 Oprah D J C Racing Stables Spencer J P 118 —

This is an interesting little handicap, and this consistent sort gets bottom weight and an inside draw to try and take out this decent prize. Four-year-olds can be at a small disadvantage early in the season and some don’t mature quick enough to catch up with the missing age allowance but in carrying just 118Lbs that shouldn’t be a factor with this home bred four-year-old. Placed and close up in three ungraded stakes last year as well as a good winner of an allowance at GP over the mile she certainly has earned her place in this line up. This is as far as she has ever gone with most of her races being in sprints, but her form has the look of a horse that may have been crying out for a longer trip.

2 Have One On Me Nakamura Stables Lezcano J 120 —

This six-year-old gets in OK with the handicapper for a mare that has won nine races and was a good winner of the Groupie Doll at the end of last year. Her works have stayed consistent so she looks ready for this race and with gate two must be a major factor. I liked her last start effort in the La Prevoyante and whilst she is no superstar of the division, she is a tough work horse and sometimes these races favor those types.

3 Rich Heiress Party Mo Mentum Farm Davis D 118 —

Well, they say winning form is good form and this four-year-old comes here with four wins in a row leading up to this race. Granted they are all at claiming level but the owner that claimed her from Martyparty last time out gives her a chance to prove herself today and why not?

4 Ruthian TwinTowersRacing Franco M 121 —

This four-year-old daughter of Bronx Bomber carries top weight, but you have to say she deserves it after some very nice efforts at the end of last year. Beaten a half-length in the Mother Goose after trying to make all she tried the same tactics in the Comely next time and was again second. That form is the best form in this race, so she is entitled to have a big chance but if she goes to the front again today, she is going to have to save some energy this time. A sticky draw, top weight and no racecourse appearances in works or races since November make her a tentative choice here.

5 Sagely Diablo Diablo Silvera Ru 119 —

Gets a couple of pounds from Ruthian after being soundly beaten by that one in the Mother Goose last time she has been a little inconsistent so far so it is hard to place how she will run today. There is ability there as she has proved in her works and the odd, good run so you can’t write her off, but I am struggling to see how she can win without a suicidal pace and her going back from the car park and then storming home past tired horses.

SUMMARY

A tricky contest but I think I am settling on Oprah off bottom weight for this one. Have One On Me and Ruthian looks the best horses in the race, but both have to give weight to the selection so may end up chasing her home for the places.

Categories: STAKES ARTICLES, Ungraded