The Fantasy – Grade II [KYO]
OP Race #2 1 1/16m Dirt Graded Stake
Purse $750.000 For Fillies Three Years Old.

1 Cam Code TwinTowersRacing Geroux F 122

Well, this stable likes to run in these big races and very often they send this type, one that has been around the block a few times but still hasn’t quite done enough. I have however, seen a few big runs from this type from this stable so always take a long hard look at their runners and I will do the same with this one. Apart from a state bred stakes second, I would say this one’s best race came in the Golden Rod where she came home strongly from the back and wasn’t beaten too far by Out of Tlove and Creepy Runner Party and a repeat of that effort wouldn’t put her too far away from running top three. I think she is more of a natural closer so will need some luck from this draw but if things go her way, she could surprise a few.

2 Lucille D J C Racing Stables Velazquez J R 122

She made her name as a two-year-old on the grass with wins in the lucrative KD Juvenile and the Jessamine but was handed a tough draw in the BC Juvenile Fillies Turf and did just OK to be a close up tenth. After that run she was swapped to the main track where she was a surprising winner of the Demoiselle, getting up gamely in a tight finish. That success put her on the KYO trail and in her two runs to date she has shown enough to make her a big chance from this handy draw. She put up a good effort in the Honeybee to be third beaten a length behind Soliloquy Sunset who will probably start favorite for this race. The better draw today should close the gaps, and I would rate her a very good winning chance.

3 Escapist Williams9 Hernandez R M 122

With the two entries from the stable, both of whom can go on the pace, I am wondering how that may affect their chances and the pace of this race. After a win in the Pocahontas and a third in the Alcibiades, she was looking a good chance in the BC but ran poorly that day ending up a never dangerous tenth. Since then, she has fallen off position when raced on speed and it does make you wonder whether she peaked as a juvenile. Having said that she has looked better in her last two when third in both the SUN Oaks and The Davona Dale so must be given a chance if she can rekindle her good season as a juvenile.

4 Soliloquy Sunset Nakamura Stables Gallardo A A 122

Must start favorite for this race as along with Credit Crime she has looked one of the top hopes for the KYO. With six wins from seven and just one defeat at the hands of one of her rivals today she is a triple grade one winner and already pretty much assured a KYO spot. The BC Juvenile Fillies winner, she lost on seasonal debut to Confident Elegance but that race was run with no pace, and she had to make her own running so barring a repeat today I think she may get her revenge.

5 Out Of Tlove Williams9 Pennington F 122

A grade one winner at two, she was right up on a fast pace in the BC before fading in the stretch but turned that around in the Golden Rod next time battling on gamely for a head win. This season so far, her forceful tactics haven’t worked so well, and I do wonder whether a change of thinking could revitalize her. Having said that given a soft lead and she has proved she can do it off the front before, so it is a tough decision and a bit of a gamble whichever way she goes.

6 Thousand Hours Mb Stables Prat F 122

This is an interesting runner as she has a good strike rate and won the Santa Ysabel Stakes last time with a strong finish after not really showing up as a likely KYO contender before that. I guess the question we have to ask is whether she can repeat that win on a faster track as the rains came at SA and made the track muddy. Hard to assess but if she has improved, she is hard fit and will be happy on any going which is a nice quality to have.

7 Alicent Alydar Stables Curtis B 122

Well, she has to be the hardest runner in this field to really work out with just three runs and a maiden win last time on the turf. Looking at her works she is far better than a one race winner and this stable is having a super year so she is one that of you fancy a long shot she could well be the fly in the ointment.

8 Creepy Runner Party Mb Stables Franco M 122

This is a very good filly but she may just have a slight preference for the turf and that could be key against some very good fillies in this race. A grade one winner on the grass, she very nearly won the BC Juvenile Fillies Turf going under by a nose after a huge late run. The trainer then tried her on the main track in the Golden Rod and she again close hard to be beaten under a length into third. That was enough to launch a qualifying run for the KYO and she has run well enough in her two efforts to be afforded a chance again today. Strong works, a strong finish and the master at the wheel, she could be the biggest danger to the likely favorite.

9 Confident Elegance Wood Duck Stables Lopez P 122

The only horse to beat Soliloquy Sunset when she finished well off a slow pace to win the Marthas Wish, a repeat of that could well see her winning. She was a shade disappointing in the Honeybee last time when running fourth so there is something needed here, and I wonder whether she will use this wide gate to pierce to the front and dictate the pace. Lopez takes back the reins today and that jockey is unbeaten on her so maybe a key booking in a race that throws up an intriguing looking contest.

SUMMARY

This is a great trial for the KYO, and the winner will emerge among the favorites for the big dance. Soliloquy Sunset looks the one here although she is no sure thing as Confident Elegance knows how to beat her, and Creepy Runner Party will be looking for those KYO Points. The chances don’t end there though, and a good case can be made for every runner here.

Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES