Fleur De Lis Handicap – Grade II [BC]

CD        Race #10        1 1/8m         Dirt      Graded Stake

Purse $500.00  For Fillies And Mares Four Years Old And Upward.

1 – R U Ready To Code

A consistent mare with two wins from four starts in 2026, including a front‑running score in the Latonia (99 fig). Her best recent effort came at Santa Anita on 24 Jan, where she won the La Canada (G3) after sitting close and grinding home. Her last two races at graded level (G2 Double Dog Dare, G3 Belle Mahone) produced mid‑90 figures but no placings.

Work pattern: Four steady 1‑mile works at PRX between March and May, all between 1:36.1–1:37.0, showing fitness but no standout bullet speed.

The six year old has enough weight to carry but gets a nice gate to show here best. She has never fully made her mark at this level and gets a chance here and her on pace running style will work nicely from the rail.

2 – Lab Virus

Has not won since 2024 but remains competitive, finishing 3rd in both 2026 starts. Her best recent performance was a 96 at Aqueduct last November in the TTA Handicap, where she tracked the pace and held well. She has repeatedly run well at 1 1/8 miles, including a near‑miss in the 2025 DEL Handicap (G3).

Work pattern: Very sharp recent drills—SA 6f in 1:10.1 (1/33) and SA 5f in :57.4 (2/60)—among the fastest in the field.

Gets an attractive weight from a very nice gate so although she may not be immediately a graded stakes level sort she has proven before that she can run well in handicaps. Likely to get back into mid pack she will have to rely on some race engine luck to find her way through.

3 – Balius

Opened 2026 with a win at Sunland (96 fig) and has since run two solid graded efforts, including a 94 in the Ruffian (G2) on a muddy track. Her figures have been consistent in the low‑to‑mid 90s.

Work pattern: Three 6f works at Woodbine between January and June, all between 1:01.1–1:04.0, with one bullet (1/1 on Feb 27). Workouts indicate steady conditioning rather than peak speed.

A solid type she generally tries hard but has found it hard to peak at the right time. She has plenty of weight but if she can find a stalking position and then kick off the bend she may be a good each way chance.

4 – Shes A Looker

Has hit the board in four of five starts this year, including a 96 in the Bayakoa (G3). Her allowance win at Tampa in January (96 fig) remains her strongest 2026 performance. She has been consistently running 91–96 figures across all surfaces and tracks.

Work pattern: Recent CD mile work in 1:36.4 (3/5) and multiple 6f drills in 1:10–1:11, showing reliable fitness.

This one showed plenty of promise in the past but has more recently be seen mostly at overnight level. On her best three year old form she would be a chance off a low weight but would need to fully see out this nine furlongs to be a winning chance.

5 – Love Music

Lightly raced in 2026 but improving. Won an N3X at Tampa with a 94, then ran a strong 98 in the Belle Mahone (G3), closing late for 3rd. Her figures have ranged from 87–98 this year.

Work pattern: Mixed set of works, including a WO 6f in 1:11.3 (3/4) and an AQU 5f in :59.1, indicating sharpness.

An encouraging performance last time gives her an outside chance off a low weight. Likely to get back she will need some luck late.

6 – Barossa Valley

Has run three straight 95–100 figures in 2026, including a 100 in the Apple Blossom (G1) where she set the pace and held on well. Last out she finished 2nd in the Shawnee (G2) with a 93, sitting close throughout.

Work pattern: Strong recent CD 5f in :58.3 (8/49) and WO 5f in :58.0 (2/11)—among the fastest in the field.

One of the class factors in the race she would certainly be a chance here at her best. Second in the grade one Spinster over this trip last year she recently ran a close fourth in the grade one Apple Blossom Handicap carrying a pound more (go figure how the handicap works) she must have every chance of a win with only 119Lbs.

7 – El Grande Latte

Three starts in 2026, all unplaced, but all in graded company. Best recent figure was a 97 in last year’s Mo Goose (G2). This year’s efforts have been 93–97, but she has not shown late punch.

Work pattern: Very sharp SA 5f in :58.1 (2/62) and :57.4 (1/83)—elite speed on paper.

Carried two pounds more in the grade one Apple Blossom but was a bit lack luster in seventh. She proved last year with a  win in the Mother Goose that she is up to this level and with only 119Lbs I expect a much better effort than her last three today.

8 – Mightiness

Only one start in 2026, finishing mid‑pack in the Belle Mahone (G3) with a 96. Her 2025 season included multiple graded wins and consistent 92–99 figures.

Work pattern: Only one recent work listed—SA 5f in :57.3 (1/50)—the fastest single workout in the entire field.

Bought recently from the Team 7 partial sell out she was a bit flat in her first start for the new trainer but will come on a whole bunch for that run. She has plenty of weight (The same weight she carried to victory in the DEL Handicap last year) but if she has more fitness this time I would expect her to be right in this.

9 – Down On The Beat

Has improved sharply this year, running 91–100 figures in four starts. Best effort was a 100 in the Ruffian (G2), closing strongly. Also ran 3rd in the Phipps (G1) with a 97, finishing ahead of several rivals.

Work pattern: CD 5f in :57.3 (1/35)—a major bullet—plus two earlier bullets at CD.

On her brilliant third in the grade one Phipps last time and a win in the Ruffian Handicap prior to that she must be one of the strongest chances. The weight seems fair but this wider gate may mean she will go back and will then have to rely on the race engine to be on her side on the run home.

10 – Wasted Away

A proven G1 mare with a 96–97–96 sequence in 2026, including a win in the Beholder Mile (G1). Her last two starts were a 97 (La Troienne) and 96 (Phipps).

Work pattern: AQU 6f works between 1:10.2–1:10.3, consistently fast and professional.

There is no doubt that this mare is the best in the field and she already has a grade one win this year. Considering a win and a third at grade one level she has got into this race with a  very lenient impost of just 120Lbs and having been given that may well start favorite to win. The gate will make the first few furlongs key for her as she was a bit flat last time in the Phipps when being made to work hard early on but if she can find a good position she could well be the one.

11 – No Ones Comparing

Has run 89–98 figures this year, including a 98 last out in the Belle Mahone (G3), where she closed strongly for 2nd. Has been extremely consistent over the past two seasons.

Work pattern: AQU 6f in 1:10.0 (1/45) and 1:10.1 (3/90)—top‑tier conditioning.

A real consistent sort she has mixed her running styles recently but has not been able to find the line at the right time. If you look at her stable mate with the same handicap mark it is tough to make sense of the handicapping system but she certainly has every chance of getting in the frame and making it another lucrative day for the player.

12 – Devil In High Heels

One of the most consistent mares in the field. Her 2026 figures: 91, 91, 93, 99, 96. Last out she won the Shawnee (G2) with a 96, finishing strongly. Also ran a 99 in the La Troienne (G1), narrowly beaten.

Work pattern: PRX mile in 1:36.3 (1/10)—a strong stamina work—plus multiple 6f drills around 1:10–1:11.

Carries clear top weight and is also given the car park draw just to rub the disadvantage into her wounds. She showed last time with an easy win in the Shawnee that she deserves full respect despite her disadvantages and I would expect her to show her usual brave effort but maybe be a better bet for the exotic bets.

SUMMARY

I say it every time these handicaps are more about finding the horse that has escaped the handicappers algorithm’s than trying to find the best horse.  Pretty much everything has a chance here but those that seem to fall into the category of attractive weight are Wasted Away, Mightiness, Barossa Valley and Grand Latte and I would probably be boxing those up for an exacta or a trifecta.

Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES