The Athenia – GIII
10/20/19
AQU Race 2 1 1/16M – InTurf
Purse $200.000
Three Year Olds and Up Fillies and Mares
A field of eight turf routing fillies and mares have been entered up for this years running of the grade three Athenia here at Aqueduct on the inner turf course. It is a decently sized field of eight so let’s take a look at the field for this race.
1. Fomalhaut (29-7-10-3 $858.380), trained by John Henry
The first entry in the field and one of two for John Henry and this filly is coming into this race off of a seventh place finish in the grade three KD Ladies Turf. She did win a grade two earlier this year but her last two have not been good. If she returns to good form she could win this.
2. Outside Shot (9-3-1-3 $231.460), trained by D J C Racing Stables
An entry for the wizard D J C Racing Stables here and this filly is coming into this race off of three third place finishes in a row. Two of those were grade threes on the dirt and the last race was an optional claimer on the turf. If she runs likes she can on the dirt she will be tough.
3. Infrastructure (19-7-2-2 $395.460), trained by Our Athletes
Next filly in the field and this filly is coming into this race off of a fourth place finish in the grade two Mabee at Del Mar. She has also won a grade three on the year and she has been in good form. I think she will be very tough to beat in here if she runs her race.
4. Chai Mission (25-4-6-5 $771.280), trained by Maxmillion Farm
A graded stakes winner in her career also right here and she is coming into this race off of a defeat in a wide open allowance race at Belterra. The only think that will hurt her is that I think this distance is way too short for her because she likes to run longer than this.
5.Nancy Broom Moytoy (21-7-2-6 $965.320), trained by Team 7 Illusions
Here is a filly that is a grade one winner in her career but that was last year when she was in good form. She was in good form earlier on in the year but her last few have not been all the great. I think she will be a lot better in here and she will get back on track.
6. Broomstick Hero (14-5-2-4 $190.440), trained by Axeman
Now to this filly who is coming into this race off of two wins in a row and one of those was a statebred stakes race up at Woodbine. Her last race was a win in an optional claimer at Belmont at this same distance. This is a real test for her so not sure how she’ll run.
7. Pennys Pearl (13-5-2-3 $271.190), trained by Angelos Stable
This next filly won a wide open allowance race at Saratoga going wire to wire in her last start but that was just a four horse field. Before that she was claimed for forty bucks so I don’t know about her. She may be tough but she may be a little outclassed. Not sure how she’ll run.
8. Diamond Tiara (17-6-1-2 $203.630), trained by John Henry
Last runner in the field here and the second runner for John Henry and she will be making her first start for this barn. The last time we saw her she ran a good fifth in the grade one Beverly D. If she can overcome this post she will have a big chance to win.
Summary
This race is pretty stacked from top to bottom and I can truly see any of these winning this race. My top choice is going to be Diamond Tiara off of that length defeat in the grade one Beverly D. It is a tough field for sure. Good luck to all in the field.
8-5-3-1
Categories: STAKES ARTICLES
