Bessarabian Stakes – Grade III

WO         Race #2         7f             Dirt          Graded Stake Purse $175.00 
For Fillies And Mares Three Years Old And Upward.

STREET RAIN

Trainer: Williams9 | Jockey: Civaci S

Street Rain enters as a lightly-raced but talented three-year-old whose form cycle is a little difficult to trust. Her best effort came in June when wiring a $25k Optional Claimer over this same 7f trip, earning a strong 95 figure. She backed that up with another 94 figure at Albuquerque despite fading late after setting the pace.

The concern is her most recent outing at Finger Lakes. After being claimed, she produced only an 87 figure and could manage third in a modest allowance. While she wasn’t disgraced, the effort represents a significant regression from her New Mexico form.

The work pattern is solid. A sharp 5f in :59.1 at Keeneland (4/15) followed by earlier bullet drills at Sunland suggest the new barn has her fit and moving well. She appears naturally quick and should be prominent from the rail.

The class jump is considerable however. Most of her success has come against claiming and allowance company, and she now tackles proven stakes runners.

Chance Assessment: Dangerous pace presence but needs a career-best effort against significantly stronger company. Fringe exotics candidate.

LILY BLESS HER

Trainer: The Sidley Stud | Jockey: Moran D

Lily Bless Her is one of the most consistent mares in the field. She rarely runs a poor race and enters off a string of competitive efforts.

Her career-best performance came in the Original Gold Stakes at Charles Town, where she earned a 97 figure while defeating stakes company at 7 furlongs. Since then she has remained honest, winning an allowance at Finger Lakes and recently finishing third in the West Virginia Cavada Breeders’ Classic after battling throughout.

What stands out is her versatility. She has been competitive from 6 furlongs to a mile and seventy yards, and tactical speed should keep her involved throughout.

Workout reports are respectable rather than flashy. The August Monmouth drill (1:10.2, 2/38) stands out as particularly sharp. She doesn’t need bullets to perform, as she typically brings her race-day form.

The biggest concern is class. While consistent, most of her victories have come below graded stakes level.

Chance Assessment: Honest and reliable mare who should give her running. A legitimate top-four contender but needs another step forward to win.

FLANDERS

Trainer: Robeth | Jockey: Salles L

Flanders is one of the more interesting entrants. She has raced only nine times and may still have upside.

After breaking her maiden impressively at Saratoga with a 91 figure, she stepped into allowance company at Parx and produced a strong closing victory over a mile despite a difficult trip. That race suggests she possesses more ability than her record indicates.

Her recent works are outstanding. The 5f in :58 flat at Churchill (2/35) is among the best workouts seen in this field and follows several other strong drills.

The major issue is class. She has yet to tackle stakes company and jumps directly from allowance company into a Grade III against seasoned mares.

The distance cutback to 7f could help because she has enough tactical speed to stay within striking range while retaining the stamina developed over longer distances.

Chance Assessment: Live longshot. Needs dramatic improvement on paper but possesses enough upside to surprise.

BALANCE THAT BUDGET

Trainer: Rock Creek | Jockey: Vanek H M

Balance That Budget may be the most intriguing horse in the entire field.

Her recent form is deceptively strong. She dominated an $80k Optional Claimer by four lengths before tackling the Zenyatta Stakes (G2) where she nearly stole the race on the front end and was beaten only two lengths while earning a 97 figure.

The quality of competition she has faced this season is exceptional. She has competed in the Kentucky Oaks, CCA Oaks, Summer Oaks, and Zenyatta. While she hasn’t won at the highest level, she has consistently proven competitive against elite opposition.

Her workouts are excellent. The 6f move in 1:10.4 at Mountaineer was the fastest of 73 workers and indicates she remains in peak condition.

The question is whether she truly wants seven furlongs. Most of her success has come around two turns. However, her tactical speed profile suggests the cutback could actually sharpen her finish.

Chance Assessment: One of the strongest class horses in the field. Major contender and a serious winning threat.

NEON SARA

Trainer: TwinTowersRacing | Jockey: Walcott R W

Neon Sara’s record doesn’t immediately jump off the page, but her recent races deserve respect.

She has spent much of the season competing in Grade I and Grade II company, running respectable races against significantly stronger opposition than she meets here. Her fourth-place finish in the Bed o’ Roses style sprint at Belmont was particularly encouraging as she was beaten less than a length while earning a 95 figure.

Her figures have become remarkably consistent, generally falling in the 93-96 range.

However, she remains frustrating from a betting standpoint because she rarely wins. Three victories from twenty-one starts and only one win this season suggests she often settles for minor awards.

The recent works are solid enough, particularly the :58.2 Belmont move.

Chance Assessment: Strong underneath horse. More likely to hit the board than win, but cannot be ignored.

KILLER CONQUISTADOR

Trainer: Greyfriars Stable | Jockey: Wilson E J

Killer Conquistador is becoming difficult to trust.

As a two-year-old she looked highly promising, earning quality figures in stakes company. This season, however, she has failed to win despite multiple opportunities and appears to have plateaued.

Her speed figures remain competitive, but each time she reaches contention she weakens late. The sixth-place finish in the Prioress and fourth in the Victory Ride followed a similar pattern.

The works are respectable, with an eye-catching Saratoga bullet (:57.2, 2/18), suggesting she retains ability.

The concern is whether she has progressed at all from her juvenile season while many rivals clearly have.

Chance Assessment: Has enough talent to grab a minor share, but recent form suggests others are more likely winners.

LADY ABBYGAEL

Trainer: Hammelot Farm | Jockey: Moran P

Lady Abbygael enters as arguably the hottest horse in the race.

She has won five of eight starts this season and arrives off three consecutive stakes victories. More importantly, she has done so in commanding fashion, showing tactical speed, determination, and the ability to finish races strongly.

Her Hawkin Stakes victory earned a 97 figure, matching the best recent numbers in this field. The follow-up victory in the West Virginia Lottery Breeders Classic was equally impressive, cruising home by two lengths.

The workout pattern is exceptional. The recent Woodbine 6f drill in 1:10.1 was the fastest of five workers, while the 7f move at Belmont was likewise best of the day. Few horses enter this race training better.

The slight concern is class. She has dominated regional stakes, and this represents her toughest test to date.

Still, winning form is winning form.

Chance Assessment: Very dangerous. Enters in peak form and deserves strong respect as a winning contender.

DELILAHS DEN

Trainer: Simmer Down Stable | Jockey: Hernandez R M

Delilahs Den brings perhaps the strongest combination of experience and current form into the race.

She has been competitive against Grade II and Grade III company throughout the season and consistently records figures between 94 and 97. Her recent victory at Parx produced a 96 figure and demonstrated her customary late kick.

What catches the eye is how often she finishes strongly despite racing from difficult positions. She rallied from far back to win the Lady’s Secret and nearly repeated the feat against tougher company several times this season.

Her recent Woodbine works are excellent, suggesting she has settled well over the local surface.

The cutback from route races to 7 furlongs could actually be ideal if the pace becomes contested. Several speed-oriented runners should ensure a solid tempo.

Chance Assessment: One of the most reliable graded-stakes performers in the field. Major contender and likely to be running hard in the final furlong.

Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES