The top nine finishers in points for this event have all accumulated 20 or better to their credit, with the tenth place finisher gaining 18 points. This going to be one of the hottest contested races on Saturday’s card, and in my opinion could very well outshine the Classic this season. What an event!!!

BC Fillies & Mares Turf- Gr. I

• For Fillies & Mares Three Years old and Up – Purse $ 2,000.000
• Santa Anita Park – One Mile and a Quarter- Turf Course
• Saturday November 2nd, 2019

This is one of the best group of runners assembled for a BC Fillies & Mares Turf event since it first took place when HRP was still in it infancy some sixteen years ago. Yes it has had a two time winner by the name of Attraction ( Mm Racing ) in 2014/16, and I don’t think anyone will forget last years outstanding finish between Team 7 Illusions Free Sunset and Estero Farms Quiver Pond, which ended in a dead heat finish. But I think we are in for one of the best affairs yet. Both last year’s winners are now under new manage and are not back this season. Lets have a look at this field;

1 Trippi Tip Toe ( Estero Farms ) JK: Guitierrez Mario BC Pts: 22 ( 8th ) – Trainer has the Kavorka for this event as he has been able to snatch up the two inside post positions. This sophomore filly has gone six for eight in the money when entered in route affairs, but she landed one BIG victory in her most recent, the Gr. I Taylor Stakes. That was at today’s distance and she would have like to been driven by the same rider, but he has gone elsewhere. Post should help as she ran here in the Taylor. Give her a go!

2 Proud Eights ( Estero Farms ) JK: Tunon M BC Pts : 17 ( 11th ) – Trainer has once again called upon this apprentice jockey to take charge of another one of his turf hopefuls. Had just one try on a soft surface back in May where she captured the Gr. III Edgewood going a mile and a sixteenth, ahead of Easier Said who is racing here. Nothing but sun in the forecast for the entire week, but her most recent Grade I QEII affair had her with a runner-up effort to one who was on a three in a row win streak. Distance is not the issue, and maybe the young gun can bring out her best.

3 Easy Time ( Mb Stables ) JK: Hernandez R M BC Pts: 18 ( 10th ) – One of two “easy” named horses starting for this trainer. Her last effort saw her finish just four one hundredth of a second back of Maggie Greene in the Gr. I Rodeo Drive Stakes at this track and distance, and with Hernandez back in the saddle, he will be a little bit wiser as when to fire with this five year old mare. Will get some relief out of the gate as her stablemate will be breaking from her outside, and the duo will be in constant contact through their rider.

4 Easier Said ( Mb Stables ) JK: Court J K BC Pts: 27 ( 2nd ) – Made her way into this event with a victory in the Gr. I Beverly D affair at Arlington Park. Since that victory she has placed second and third in her two most recent events, just missing by a neck in the Jockey Club Oaks, and third in the Flower Bowl which punched a ticket for Grand Dragonville. Shorter stretch run here will be a welcome for her as she seems to spring into action off the turn for home. Trainer is sending out a nice combo for this event.

Mb Stables Comments; The Fillies and Mares Turf is obviously a very deep race. Easier Said has been performing at or near the top of her class her whole career, having never finished worse than 4th while running in the hardest races possible her whole career. As with all races, there’s a balance between being too close and being too far back and I’ll need to find a way to get her ground saving position because everything in this division is so tight

5 Grand Dragonville ( Smokey Stover ) JK: Maldonado E BC Pts: 25 ( 5th ). The Flower Bowl effort over the longer stretch drive at Belmont paved the way for this three year old filly to compete once again. Is twelve of fourteen in the money on the grass, and she has earned over $1,000.000 from that surface. Is on a three race win strea at the moment and winning breeds winners, so watch for her to give her all today. SRF numbers have been consistently in the upper 90’s in her past four races, so she has no urge to quit just yet. My pick to win.

Smokey Stover’s Comments; Grand Dragonville has been a treat to own. After finishing 2nd in the BC last year she has really kicked on this year, especially her last couple races. As with Blonde Bomber I didn’t love her last mile work (135.3) but she came back with a sharp 5F breeze so hopefully she can bring her best effort next weekend. On current form and the weight break she will get as a 3 yo I am not sure I would trade places with anyone, but that doesn’t mean I am confident!

6 Maggie Greene ( The Sidley Stud ) JK: Pennington F BC Pts: 33 ( 1st ) – Sits at the top of the heap with 33 points for this event, and earned her free ride winning the Gr. I Rodeo Drive Stakes over this surface. She made up alot of ground down the lane in that event, and her record for this season is 8 ( 3-3-1 ), only missing two starts ago in the Beverly D Stakes. Either rider or that track surface was not agreeable for her. Surprising that Husbands did get the call up from WO to ride her, and that the trainer has decided to go with jockey who has been in the saddle in any of her 27 career starts. Makes me pause just for a second.

The Sidley Stud Comments; It all seems good with Maggie Greene. she is working some of her best times and has a good draw. i will be disappointed if she is not involved in the business end of the race. its always great to go into the BC with a real chance of a win but anywhere in the first 4 would be nice.

7 Snacks ( D J C Racing Stables ) JK: Lezcano J BC Pts: 13 ( 14th ) – Two starts ago this filly won her first of the season after four unsuccessful attempts when she captured the Gr. II Ballston Handicap by a shallow nose. Her most recent saw her with a fourth place finish as she put up a closing effort to miss by a length in the Rodeo Drive. Has attempted three mile and a quarter turf events, and in each she seems to start her charge just a little bit shy to hit the top three. If she could be a bit more mid pack by the half way point, what kick she does have remaining should pay dividends.

8 Alligator ( Keikowin Racing ) JK: Garcia Alan BC Pts: 22 ( 7th ).- This trainer snatched up this four year old filly in late September, and this will be her first ever effort for him. Her last two she finished off with for her previous trainer left her short of any payout after having a reasonable good career up to that point. Her new interest showed she looks to be back in form with her most recent sprint work and then a miler, both on the grass in preps for this affair. New barn can spark a winning form quite often, but can she cover the distance once again?

9 Hopewell Tradition ( Team 7 Illusions ) JK: Bejarano R BC Pts : 26 ( 3rd ) – While others we finding their way into this event with a free ticket, this three year filly out of Cherokee Sunset was earning her way into the event. Winner of four of eight this season and was on a three race win streak with one of those events being the Gr. I BEL Oaks, ahead of Diluted and Easier Said. After getting out a little to quickly in the SAR Oaks, she has returned to charging on late to find a share by the wire. Was the post time favorite in the Taylor, and will be looking for redemption with the rail runner here.

Team 7 Illusion Comments; I wouldn’t trade my filly for any 2 of the others. G1 winner, Leading SW producing sire x Leading SW producing mare. I’ll only be satisfied with a win !!

10 Number Nine ( Spankys Barn ) JK: Van Dyke D BC Pts: 16 ( 12th ) – Hit a yielding turf last time out in the Gr. I Taylor up at WO, and finished in a dead heat with her inside runner here today. You can bet that both Bejarano and Van Dyke will be keeping a close eye on one another, and try to hold up the other one from making a clean break down the stretch drive. Van Dyke is quite aware of what his mount can do being aboard for her last three starts, and he has found a share in all of them. Will need to have her placed well off the far turn to be in the hunt late.

11 Na Pali ( Smokey Stover ) JK: Contreras L BC Pts: 15 ( 13th ) – Second runner for this experienced trainer and his entries have been separated considerably in the gate. Has over twelve hundred in turf earnings in her career, with six wins out of ten starts on the grass. Closed to within two lengths last time by in the Gr. I Rodeo Drive Stakes to finish eighth, and she will be see a few of her old rivals from that event here. Hopefully the rider will play a part early on for this event, and then just let her natural talents take over and just be along for the ride.

Smokey Stover’s Comments; Na Pali is also in the race (who beat Grand Dragonville in the BC last year), but her form has really tailed off recently. She is working well coming into it and is capable of a big run, but expectations are certainly in check.

12 Angel Shark ( John Henry ) JK: Centeno D E BC Pts: 20 ( 9th ) – Trainer’s lone entry for this affair as he just made the purchase of the sophomore bay just 12 days prior to this race being run. Has won five of nine this season and started her campaign just attacking five furlong affairs. Did manage to go four straight to the winners circle with her longest win coming in the Gr. III Eatontown Stakes. Just missed with a close in the mile and an eighth Gr. I DMR Oaks, and if she uses that style of runner for this event, she could be rewarded nicely. Has yet to test this ten panel distance, so lets see what she can do.

13 Diluted ( Mb Stables ) JK: Beschizza A BC Pts : 26 ( 4th )– Another one of this group who earned her way into this affair, but she definitely would have preferred a better post positive for this race. Had the eleven hole in the BEL Oaks back in July on the grass, and while she tried to over come that post early by getting to the front from out of the gate, it left her considerably short by the wire. Maybe she can adopt a more drop in behind for this event, then find a lane to see her way through to the wire.

14 La Terrifiant ( Our Athletes ) JK: Velazquez J R BC Pts: 24 ( 6th ) – This four year old dark filly has already drank from the BC Fountain when she took home the BC Juvenile Fillies event two seasons ago. Placed third last year in the Distaff, and now looks to stretch it out to try and capture BC number two. Has seven wins in twenty two career starts, and is just a purse away from breaking the $3,000.000 in total earnings. The post will definitely challenge her, and her rider has only been able to win with her on the dirt. Had the same post in last years Distaff, so can show up for the party.

Duffer

Categories: BC 2018-20, Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES, THE BREEDERS CUP