GII Dance Smartly Stakes

$175.000 Mile and a Quarter Turf Stake for Fillies & Mares Three & Up

2016 Champ: Mo Ki Missy

Six fillies and mares will take on the mile and a quarter test this weekend at WO. The race has attracted a nice group of horses all with a chance to take home the title.

1- Must Be Nice (Trained by John Henry, Ridden by Albarado R J)

This four year old filly has had some trouble finishing off races so far this year with three straight third place finishes. All her races have been very tough fields but with the talent she has you keep wanting more from her. She will have no excuses in this one and will probably be the one to beat. I still have some doubts she can get over the hump so she will be my place horse.

2- What A Troublemaker (Trained by Blushing Meadows, Ridden by Boulanger G)

Looking to cause some trouble is What A Troublemaker. She has found some success since making the move from dirt to turf but will need to take another step forward to get in the winners circle this weekend. This three year old filly may need another year before she is able to take home a race like this.

3- Sunset Beach Bunny (Trained by Nakamura Stables, Ridden by Moran D)

Eight wins in eleven career starts isn’t too bad at all. Her last race was an impressive three length victory to get her first stake win of her career. Good news for her is the Smartly is run at the very same distance as that race and she should be a top contender again.

4- Shadow Of A Doubt (Trained by Axeman, Ridden by Husbands P)

By far the highest earner of the field with over $2800.000 in career earnings is Shadow Of A Doubt. This seven year old mare is still doing it on the track with two wins to her name this year already. Her most recent win was on the dirt but has switched back to the turf again. Her best running has always been done on the dirt so wont be picking this one here.

5- Snappy Return (Trained by Mb Stables, Ridden by Bejarano R)

Two straight off tracks, two straight fourth place finishes. She will be hoping the rain stays away or her chances will very likely be washed away with the rain. If she can avoid the wet stuff we will be expecting a bounce back effort from her. The small field is pretty deep though so a bounce back race still might not be enough to get her in the winners circle.

6- Viking Amy (Trained by Delta Farms, Ridden by Contreras L)

Viking Amy always comes to compete and should like the distance. She is my pick in this race based on her success at the longer distances and think shes ready to run another big race. She wont want to fall too far back in the early going and hope the pace horses can keep the pace going quick enough and she will have fun running them down as they head for home.

My Selections: 6/1/3

Categories: Grade II