The Test – Grade I

7 Furlongs Dirt Stake Purse $500.00 Filly 3 Year Olds.

1st        Dreambits                     Mb Stables                      Lopez P                            1:21.83

Once again Mb Stables demonstrated just how important it is to own a horse with early pace. Straight up into a speed battle she made it to the front and gradually extended it until the inevitable late rush from the closers closed the gap right down at the line. It was a picture we have seen many times on this race engine and almost inevitably it is this trainer that comes out on top. The filly herself certainly deserved this after a tough year where she has won at grade three and grade two but come up a little short in her two efforts in grade ones so far. Today was her day though and she made the full set with a gutsy win. As the three-year-olds start to get closer to the older horses she will be a big factor come the BC and she does have options with both the sprint and the Distaff being available to her.            

A final mention to the form of the Victory Road which was pretty much turned on its head today once again demonstrating just how volatile form can be at HRP

2nd       Acapulco Gray              Maxmillion Farm         Garcia Mar                      1:21.88               

This was her fourth second in graded stakes in a row and you have to feel for her as she once again got painfully close. The trainer has done their best to get her closer to the speed bias without over extending her and it is hard to say they have failed after a fourth second but at the end of the day she is still without a win at graded level.

3rd        Belong To Me                 TwinTowersRacing      Franco M                         1:21.93

As usual the closers rushed late and as usual it was just too late. After two disappointments this was a much better effort though as she returned to her Beaumont winning form and she looks certainly capable of more black type in the future.       

4th        Cailleach                        Jerry Garcia Racing    Ortiz J L                             1:22.05

Started well but was worried out of it and in the end found little when pressured. Not a bad effort but considering she beat most of these in the Victory Road it would have to be considered disappointing.           

Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES