Trillium Stakes – Grade III
WO Race #2 1 1/16m Dirt Graded Stake
Purse $150.000 For Fillies And Mares Three Years Old And Upward.

1 In Progress TwinTowersRacing Civaci S 123 —

She was trucking well in the early part of the year but after an impressive win in the Wintergreen has been tested in better grade and came up a bit short. She gets in the ace gate which could suit her if she is sent on speed again and that would seem her best choice if she is going to get some of this purse.

2 Whoop Whoop The Sidley Stud Moran D 123 —

A decent enough three-year-old, she has done well as a four-year-old most notably over this trip last time in the Belle Mahone when just touched off and that grade three form looks well placed here. An on-pace sort, she has a good draw to stalk or lead from and with the stable flying I would expect a big effort.

3 Confederate Warrior Paradise Stable Walcott R W 123 —

A solid sort and up to this grade, as she showed with a good win in the Ladys Secret last time. She is three from four this year and showing some of her best career form so as a late developer she is a definite contender over a trip that has proved to be well within her scope.

4 Jinxed Artist Mo Mentum Farm Salles L 123 —

The six-year-old was holding her form well this year with good placings in the Santa Margarita and Santa Maria but she ran pretty badly in the Fleur De Lis last time prompting some concern for her future. The going was off that day, and we all know that can give huge form swings at HRP so maybe we should forgive her for that and at her best she is a class above a good few of these.

5 American Sky Riggins Racing Wilson E J 123 —

Third in last season’s BC Distaff, she has been dotted around levels from graded stakes to allowances at the lower tracks and whilst consistent in her results has become a little less so at a higher level. A good third in the Doubledogdare, she was then wildly outpaced in the Shawnee and again showed that tendency in an allowance at FE last time when coming from a tailed off position to win easily. As an older mare she may have found the speed gone from her legs a little, but she has always been a deep closer which in itself seems to lend itself to inconsistency. A big chance at her best but that must be taken on trust although her works say she is as good as ever.

6 Rising Authority Rock Creek Singh Su 118 —

A lightly raced three-year-old whose two wins at a very much lower level wouldn’t give her much chance here but she was pretty good when a close fourth in the DEL Oaks last time and as the three-year-olds catch up with the older horses she comes right into contention on that last effort.

7 Flyingbolt Mo Mentum Farm Fukumoto D 123 —

An experienced seven-year-old with 48 starts for 18 wins she is admirably consistent, but you have to wonder whether she still has the sort of performance that will be needed to win in her legs. At her best a contender but she isn’t running as well as last year.

8 Blind Fashion Winning Link Stables Buchanan M Z 123 —

It has been quite the “fashion” to claim the prolific winners from the free track recently and this is another lightly raced free track winner to chance her arm at the big stage. There is simply no way to measure her form, so with decent works all we can say at this point is the ability is probably there should she be coded for this level.

9 Star Sapphire John Henry Vives S 123 —

She has been frustrating a few trainers recently and has changed hands a few times and so far, none of them has really found the talent she definitely has. John Henry is the latest to give it a try and her works suggest the trainer may have found something.

10 Escapist Williams9 Gaskin D Z 118 —

The three-year-old has found it tougher this year after a good two-year-old campaign but her thirds in the SUN Oaks and The Davona Dale were pretty good and give her a chance with the weight allowance. I think I will need to see a lot better than her last two starts to give her a winning chance.

11 Doctor Voodoo Team 7 Illusions Moran P 123 —

A maiden win at lowly BTP and two very average runs after would not give this one much if any chance but her 1.36- and 3-mile work is as good as any here so we are once again in a situation where we really cannot write this or any runner out of a winning chance. Vert lightly raced she may be finding some rapid improvement.

SUMMARY

This race has me scratching my head as there really are chances round every corner you look. I think on balance American Sky may represent the best bet for the win.

Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES