Alexandra Stakes – Grade II [KYO]
FG Race #11 1 1/16m Dirt Graded Stake
Purse $200.000 For Fillies Three Years Old.
1 Muffler, trained by Sccj Stables
She has done fairly well in ungraded stakes taking the ONT Lassie by a couple of lengths and placing in a couple of others. A nice sort with competitive works she will need to step up today to live with the best of these though.
2 Morality, trained by John Henry
Won 3 from 5 including a fair sixth in The Matron as a two year old she looked a shade expensive when changing hands for $210.000 at the end of the year. She ran on well to be a very close second in The Silverbulletday Stakes on her seasonal reappearance which made that price look a little better and since then managed to break 1.36 for a mile work albeit in company. She is a difficult read for this, i like the way she finished in her last race and with that bullet work she must be in the mix.
3 Easy Time, trained by Waldo
Her works havent been setting the world alight but her last two starts have been very good and se must rate a decent chance here. She tried to make all from a wide draw in the Chandelier Stakes and only weakened late to be a game third and then almost won the Demoiselle with similar tactics going down by a nose. She may find it harder to lead from the squeeze box today but she is sure to be on the speed and will be trying all te way to the line.
4 Phooey Princess, trained by Luz International
Only a few inches behind Morality in The Silverbulletday Stakes she went into that race off three straight wins so is clearly a serious filly. You would have to compare her closely with Morality so she would have a decent chance here and she is a real trier so will give the trainer a good run.
5 Laff How, trained by Gdp Inc
Lightly raced she peaked in her last run when flying home late to take the Busanda in a dead heat. Her running style looks her biggest problem as she likes to come from way off the pace but f she can stay close enough to the action she is sure to be flying at the end.
6 Vaious, trained by Mb Stables
Made it five from five in The Las Virgenes Stakes last time after previously taking The Old Hat Stakes. On paper this one looks almost unbeatable but a poor work last week does cast a little doubt on whether this may come a bit soon for her. Having said that i have been seeing some horses with slower works win these qualifying races so it may just be that HRP have hit the slow button with works. Time will tell but it would be exciting to see her remain unbeaten.
7 Talent Quest, trained by Mb Stables
Came out on top in a photo finish with Phooey Princess and Morality in The Silverbulletday Stakes so must have a very similar chance to those two fillies. Two good runs in grade one company as a two year old suggests she has the X factor and she is certainly right in this race with a big chance.
8 Darling Smile, trained by Mb Stables
A winner of five from six her only failure came with a strange effort in The Frizette last year. Since then she had her stable companion Talent Quest behind in winning the Princess Elizabeth and last time out took The Forward Gal with a strong on pace effort. My only fear for her will be in seeing out this trip with several on pace runners who will all be fighting for the front.
9 Threat, trained by D J C Racing Stables
A little inconsistent but has run some races that give her a winning chance today. She took out the Adirondack as a two year old before running a huge race in the BC Juvenile Fillies to be a strong finishing second. She finished the season with another second in the Grade one Starlet, again running on nicely and probably represents the best form as far as achievements go. She will need a little luck from her wide draw and her works suggest she may need the run but she is certainly in with a big chance to start 2017 very well.
10 Cobra Kai, trained by Aer Stables
The winner of last years DED princess she gets the coffin draw here so will need some luck to get into the finish. She looked a little flat on her seasonal reappearance in The Santa Ynez Stakes but that trip was on the short side and it will have brought her on nicely for a crack at this. Her works are in the ball park so if she can get a decent position from this draw she must have a lively chance.
SUMMARY.
The easiest thing to do in any of these qualifying races is just to go with one of the Mb Stable runners. As usual they all have a great chance and with atleast three of the tactics known to the trainer he has a definite advantage. The unknown in the mix for me at the moment are the work times. I have seen some slower works by the three year olds as they approach the TC and that can muddy the waters when trying to pick a winner. Whatever the reason for the slower works it may pay to ignore them and just look at the form and if you do that it doesnt really become much clearer. I think i will go for Threat to upset the apple cart here, DJC Racing Stables always throws one into these big races and its about time they got a win so i will pop a dollar or two on her. As for the rest, well it really is stick a pin in time.
Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES
