Wiley – Grade I
KEE Race #6 1 1/16m Turf Graded Stake
Purse $650.000 For Fillies And Mares Four Years Old And Upward.

Just after I have gotten over the excitement of last week’s incredible sprint race where two champions squared off, I am back into excitement mode for this terrific race which sees the best fillies and mares over longer trip lock horns in a race for the ages. Here is how this stellar field lines up.

1 Lady Hilltopper Black N Gold Stable Gutierrez Mario 123 —

I think the key here for this brilliant mare is the draw as she races from a gate that will allow her to comfortably travel where and how fast she wants to go. So often beaten by Painville she got her revenge in the Hillsborough last time in a fantastic race where she came off a nose in front of the champion. Could that be a turning point in this mare that is probably one of the best not to have won a BC title. She has a draw advantage over Painville today and that could be the difference that sees her take her second grade one victory.

2 Secret Of A Lady Mb Stables Buick W T 123 —

Well, if you thought this was a two-horse race think again. This four-year-old was a rapidly improving commodity last season ending the year with a very easy win in the American Oaks but it was in her first race as a four-year-old that she well and truly announced herself in this division. Coming from off the pace she defeated both Painville and Lady Hilltopper in the Pegasus, an early marker for the BC, putting herself right on top of the early rankings. Tested in the Beholder last time on the main track she is back to her best surface today and looks like the one to upset the big two again.

3 Power Royale D J C Racing Stables Lopez P 123 —

It is hard to say this 12 race graded stakes winning mare is out classed but she faces just about the best field you can get in this division today. Her consistency is key or at least it was because she started this year with an uncharacteristic last of five at overnight level and that would’ve sent some alarm bells ringing for the owner. If she is at her best, then she is a top four contender.

4 Wander Mb Stables Franco M 123 —

The six-year-old may have played second fiddle to a few of her stable mates over the years but her good win in the Buena Vista last time will set her up nicely for the clash of the titans. Eighth in The Pegasus she has a bit to find on that run, but she was drawn out in the car park that day and starts from a much better draw today. She may not have the BC type form that some of the others have here, but she is a very capable mare and wouldn’t have to find much on her best form to win this.

5 Demanding Commander Mb Stables Velazquez J R 123 —

Carrying over a third of this field Mb Stables is serious about winning this race and this grade one winning mare is not lost in this line up either. Given plenty of time to get over a big season and a disappointing effort in the BC, she took out the Fox on seasonal debut to show she is right back to her brilliant best. I think this trip suits her better than the BC trip and her wet track form is superb should the track come up wet again. Another great chance in a stellar looking field.

6 Painville Mo Mentum Farm Geroux F 123 —

The winner of the last two BC Fillies and Mares, she looks a live hope for an historical treble come November. There is no doubt that this brilliant mare is a champion, but she is not an unbeatable champion. She got home by a nose in this race last year but was fifth the year before and has just missed in both her starts this year. She is a crowd favorite, and no doubt is the star of this field and gets her BC winning rider back today which may give her the edge she has been looking for.

7 Poetic Panther Maletto Rodriguez Jam 123 —

Well, the chances just keep coming with this consistent and possibly overlooked five-year-old. Just beaten by Demanding Commander in the Fox last time she was beaten less than a length into third in the Pegasus before that so is right in with the very best of her division. With two runs back she will be peaking now and whilst she does have to find a half-length here of there is no reason she can’t despite an awkward draw.

8 Ponzi Scheme TwinTowersRacing Davis D 123 —

Rounding out the field and sitting on the outside we have the enigma that is Ponzi Scheme. There is no doubt that when she is hot, she is very hot and capable of upsetting anything in this field as she showed with her battling third in the BC last year and a hugely impressive win in the Very One last time out. If she gets the wide gate speed push and gets the front here, she will be a tough nut to crack for sure as she won the grade one Taylor last year using that tactic. Capable of an upset win but she can be a bit hit and miss at this trip.

SUMMARY

Well, yet another fantastic race as the cream of the filly’s division takes each other on in an epic Wiley. Everywhere you look there are chances, and it would be hard to pick the winner if this race was run ten times so I have no confidence in my choices but would rather just look forward to a great race. If I had to pick, I would probably say Lady Hilltopper will just prevail from Painville with Secret Of A Lady in a close third.

Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES