The Acorn – Grade I
SAR Race #3 1 1/8m Dirt Graded Stake
Purse $500.000 For Fillies Three Years Old.

1 Este Nocha D J C Racing Stables Lopez P 122 —

Well, if there is an excitement machine in this race it is this filly that has a record of five wins from six starts including three black type wins. She was brilliant from a very wide draw in the Eight Belles last time getting a fair w ay back off of one of those false wet track paces and then flying home for a last gasp head win. Prior to that she had won the grade two Beaumont in good style from this draw traveling just behind the leaders and winning easily. Her last two wins have been on an off track but her previous three had been on a dry one, so I don’t think she is a one trick pony and will be happy on any going. She steps up in trip today so that will be the only question mark against her name.

2 Heart Of Joy Royalty Stables Centeno D E 122 —

Took the Las Virgenes from a bad draw before two brave efforts in the Davona Dale and The Ashland. She ran her usual game race in the KYO going down by a length in the mud while running a very creditable third. She certainly has the form on the board to be a big contender but faces a tough field here to find her fourth career win. An on-speed type, we will just have to see how the track plays out but closers are due a turn so she may once again find herself battling at the end.

3 Tactical Spin Alydar Stables Geroux F 122 —

Holds Heart Of Joy on all her efforts this year and will be a popular choice to win this race. She took the Forward Gal and the Davona Dale before meeting Creepy Runner Party in The Ashland where she was beaten under a length into second but then got her revenge in the KYO when second to Credit Crime and finishing three lengths in front of Creepy Runner Party. This race looks perfect for her and without a doubt she has the best form coming into this.

4 Soliloquy Sunset Nakamura Stables Gallardo A A 122 —

The BC Juvenile Fillies Champ ran a cracker in the KYO in the wet after running on speed from a terrible gate and still holding on for fourth. A brilliant juvenile, she looked like a big KYO hope when taking the Honeybee and then finishing a close third in the Fantasy, but the wet track and her running style were definitely against her in the Oaks. She certainly has the ability to win this depending on her trip, I would like to see her held up a bit today as her best races seem to come when coming from behind on a strong pace, but this trainer is a master tactician and will be covering all the bases.

5 Creepy Runner Party Mb Stables Velazquez J R 122 —

Her win in the grade one Ashland was a little unexpected but she stamped herself that day a top filly especially when you add in her very close second in the Fillies Juvenile Turf on BC day. She disappointed in the KYO but her last four starts have seen terrible draws that have really thrown some inconsistency into her record, and she is better off today from gate five so I would expect to see her true form. Her works as you would expect are top notch and she could well start favorite on the strength of those and the more than capable steering of her trainer.

6 Thousand Hours Mb Stables Franco M 122 —

Another that ran poorly in the KYO for the stable, if anything she had looked the main contender on her wins in the Santa Ysabel and The Fantasy. One of those was on a wet track so I expected a better effort in the Oaks, but she was very flat that day from a bad draw ending up tenth. Her works say she has lost nothing of her pre-Oaks form so I would expect a better effort today from a slightly better draw.

7 Us Against The World Mb Stables Gutierrez Mario 122 —

Leaving nothing to chance, Mb Stables has a third runner here who may be one of the pace influences in the race. A good winner last time in the Black Eyed Susan she had been a bit in and out prior and may be better taking a sit rather than going for a lead. She looks the third string here but definitely has ability and could be the dark filly in the race.

8 Love Affair TwinTowersRacing Hernandez R M 122 —

If there is an unexpected winner of a race it is usually this stable that provides them because whilst she certainly hasn’t done what some have here, there are a few positives to consider despite the wide gate. She hasn’t been far off the top fillies in the Santa Ynez and The Ashland and she comes here as the freshest runner having not started since Early April. That could be a factor as the best in this race have all been fighting for top honors since the start of the year and I am very wary of this one as a potential big-priced winner.

SUMMARY

A great looking race where any winner would be considered worthy. The obvious one would be Tactical Spin, but Creepy Runner Party and Thousand Hours looked great before the KYO and could use this race to launch a BC bid.

Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES