The Go For Wand Handicap – Grade III
AQU Race #3 1m Dirt Graded Stake
Purse $250.000 For Fillies And Mares Three Years Old And Upward.
1 Ivanka Winning Link Stables Geroux F
As a three year old she is at the wrong end of the handicap here as she is giving weight to older horses whereas it would be the other way round at weight for age. That reason immediately hurts her chances but she is a very good filly and does have the ability to overcome it. A winner only once this year she ran her best race since finishing second in the SA Oaks when second in the Chilukki last time out so its clear she is a good one i just dont know if she can overcome the handicap even from this handy draw.
2 Steel Calling Mb Stables Velazquez J R
She gets bottom weight here and has been cleverly placed to take advantage of the handicapping system after running mostly in sprints this year. A close second in the Bloom Handicap last time shows she has the class factor and she has won two routes before so it looks well worth throwing her over the mile in this small field. Being the only older horse in the field she is getting weight from fillies she would normally have to give weight to so despite not being the best in the field she may well have the measure of her juniors today.
3 Night School Maxmillion Farm Carmouche K
Just a half length behind Ivanka in the Chilukki when third last time out she is another three year old that has to lump around a big handicap weight. She has some good form though winning the grade three Groupie Doll over this trip and finishing third in the DEL Oaks so she has to be respected especialy with a handy 1.36 and 2 mile work.
4 Thalassa Maxmillion Farm Albarado R J
The second runner from the stable and at the other end of the handicap she is a consistent sort in overnights who ran well enough when takling a close second the grade three ONT Fashion last time to suggest she can make the step up. Her works are good enough that with bottom weight she may be the better of the two stable entries.
5 Dame Magnifique D J C Racing Stables Bejarano R
Her best run came when a one length fourth in the grade one Ballerina but she has proved a little inconsistent so far. She is working well enough to put her in with a chance but the combination of a wide gate and no real form over the mile make her a difficult choice in a tight race.
SUMMARY
If weight means anything then the only four year old in the field should be good enough to win this. However this is going to be a close race and a good case can be made for all the runners so Steel Calling is a tentative choice.
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