The Sidley Stud grey has gone two for two this season and has sixty Kentucky Oaks points in the bank after gaining 50 points in the Gr. III Honeybee last month. There are one hundred points awarded to the winner here on Saturday, and nine other runners will all be looking to upset her chances.

• The Gazelle- Grade III Stakes Race
• Aqueduct Racetrack One mile and a eighth Main track
• Purse $300.000 For Fillies Three Years old.

A Total of seven runners in this event have gained some KYO points between last season and this year, while the three inside runners today all looking to gain their first points of the season. While the top three KYO point leaders are off this weekend, fifth place Appealing Ginger has decided this is the event to move up near the top. Fourth place filly You Just Have 2 Wait ( Estero Farms ) is looking to the west and trying to capture the Gr. I SA Oaks event.

So lets take a look at this field and see who could possibly rise to the occasion;

1.Deceptive Tactics ( Nakamura Stables ) Jockey Davis D – Has attempted two Grade II affairs in her last three starts, with terrible finishes of back of the pack in 12th over both dirt and grass. This will be her first attempt over this oval, and while she has a sharp work here on the 29th of March, look for her to fade once here. Pass.

2. Hollywood Sister ( Estero Farms ) Jockey Husbands P – Has finished in the money in her last three events, and actually broke her maiden over this very oval going a mile by some five lengths. Doesn’t have the class of others in here, but is definitely moving in the right direction. Has called upon WO regular Husbands who is two for two in his limited riding this season. Will need his best to get up for a possible minor share.

3.Totally Baroque ( Mb Stables ) Jockey Wilson E J – Was purchased in February after a couple of attempts at trying to break her maiden. Those affairs she used a come from behind tactic after the addition of the shadow roll. New interest put her on the lead, and would come out on top by a nose, breaking her maiden. That came at this very surface at a mile, and trainer has been relentless with works here. Will be interesting to see if she become the pacesetter once again.

4.Red Lucy ( The Sidley Stud ) Jockey Court J K – First of two entries for this trainer and has 6 KYO points with fourth place finishes in the Golden Rod and the Alexandra. Last time out at SA in the Santa Ysabel stakes, she closed from fading near the back early, to within a length of the winner at the line. Obviously the added sixteenth of a mile will be to her liking, and could give these ladies a run for their money.

5.Dali The Viking ( Smokey Stover ) Jockey Bocachica A. – While she was able to earn ten KYO points in both her victories in the Gr. II Demoiselle and the Gr. I Chandelier last season, her most recent run over a good surface in the Gr.III Honeybee was not her best. Depending on how early the showers hit on Saturday, she may have to try a front running style once again to put in a peak performance.

6.Evening Star ( Fractious ) Jockey Franco M – Returning back to the irons after taking this one to a victory in an Alw64s event over this track surface, Franco will do everything in his power to fine the wire once again. Just missed last time out in the Gr. II Davona Dale closing to within a quarter of a length. Definitely will appreciate the added furlong here, and with the closing efforts recently, she is my pick to be the upsetter of the group.

7.Piece Of Heart ( Joshua Stables ) Jockey Toledo Je – A “C” note purchase back in late February, her new trainer hustled this Charley Farley filly up to the Gr.III Honeybee, and with the addition of Bute to her regimen, came away with a runner-up finish. The twenty points she earned was added to the single point from the Suncoast, and her trainer looks to capitalize once again. Worked a six furlong bullet on Monday at PRX, so looks to be ready once again.

8.Appealing Ginger ( The Sidley Stud ) Jockey Cohen D – Watch for the betting public to jump on to this one and make her the post time favorite. Won both the $100 Busanda and then returned to capture the Gr.III Honeybee. Will have the runner-up of that event to her inside, so it should pan out to be an interesting duel throughout. Has already competed at this distance in the Busanda, but lost Gallardo to SA. 8 out of 10 starts have been routes. Favorite.

9.Cheetah ( Angelos Stable ) Jockey Contreras L – Will definitely need to live up to her name for this event, and will have to put in a superb run late to get a share. Earned her five KYO points with a fourth place finish in the Gr. II Davona Dale last time out. Will be competing against othesr from that event, and watch for her to drop back and to the rail early. I have this one finishing on the edge once again here.

10.Realize ( Gdp Inc ) Jockey Centeno D E – Breeder of this filly probably wishes he had her back in his barn. Stepped up to the $250 Busher in her most recent try at the stakes level where she would finish third with a closing effort. Has been made post time favorite in both her starts this season, so handicappers are impressed with her. Centeno does have a preference for the ladies, and bringing him over from TAM could pay dividends.

Summary- Will be interesting to see how this event unfolds in the opening half mile. If a frontrunner can get out and be allowed to set some mediocre fractions, it may cause some of the late runners to bid earlier then they would like, or allow the leader to kick on late and take the whole thing. I am sticking with Appealing Ginger for the victory, but I have a gut feeling about Evening Star showing up late and surprising. Good luck to all competitors.

Categories: STAKES ARTICLES