The 16th Running of the G1 Taylor Stakes
October 17, 2021 13:50
WO Race #3 $600.000 11/4 Turf
3YO+ Fillies & Mares 120/123 Lbs
Track Record-1:57.98 (Billy Joel-2020)
Stakes Record-1:58.28 (Flambetta-2012)
With Sunday marking 20-days until the BC, nine fillies and mares will invade WO in search of all-important points. The $600.000 G1 Taylor Stakes is the last chance for those runners looking to solidify/earn their place in the starting gate next month at DMR. Team 7 Illusions (2006, 2007, 2015) is the only HRP trainer with three victories in this race and jockey J.R. Velazquez (2006, 2019) is the only rider with two of these to his credit.
Looking at the Filly & Mare Turf leaderboard, five of the nine who are entered could almost confirm their participation in the championship event with a win. The other four entrants would need a little bit of luck on their side; however, with the three horse per stable limit, they wouldn’t be ruled-out altogether. Here’s the field for Sunday’s $600.000 G1 Taylor Stakes from WO:
#1 Classic Princess (Maxmillion Farm/D. Davis 123): Four exacta finishes (two wins, two places) in four races for the current trainer and returns to WO for her third consecutive GS start. This will be her fourth rail draw in her last five races and she has plenty of talent to take advantage. One of the five who can cement her stature in the division, she looks awfully tough.
#2 Shes One Of A Kind (Maxmillion Farm/T.J. Pereira 120): Like her stablemate on the rail, this lass has shown an affinty for the WO lawn. With these two on the inside, fair to think one leads and one sits close enough to be dangerous throughout. Not as accomplished as the rail horse, but she does get three pounds from the elders in this spot. If nothing else, she gives her trainer a strong pocket pair to start.
#3 Starshipdotcom (TwinTowersRacing/J.R. Velazquez 120): With the speedsters on her inside, she shouldn’t lose too much ground on her journey. Hasn’t seen the likes of these in her career, but she appears to be an honest sort that makes a run. Distance adds to the unknowns with her as this will be the farthest she’s been asked to go. Feels like any kind of paycheck would be a great result for her.
#4 Rose Petals (Mb Stables/E. Jaramillo 120): Multiple stakes winner has yet to defeat graded foes in five tries, but she’s earned a trifecta placing in four big ones. Filly gets three pounds and looks like she can work-out just about any kind of trip. She is another that could head to DMR with a win and have to expect her to be primed for a big effort here.
#5 Intanga Rose (D J C Racing Stables/T. Gaffalione 123): 4yo finds herself sitting in a precarious 16th position for a 14-horse gate next month. Any type of board finish should be enough to get her to DMR, but have to worry a little bit about the quick turnaround off of such an uncharacteristically poor performance on October 2. Fifth straight G1 start for a filly that needs a result to feel secure.
#6 Pink Kitten (Threshold/J. Lezcano 123): Lone 5yo in the race, this mare is looking for her first graded score. If it happens, she will still need some defections to get into the big one next month. Looks to be a confirmed closer so look for her to save as much ground as she can before launching a stretch run. She’s run well enough in these events to put a scare into these gals when the real running starts.
#7 Forbidden Blush (Smokey Stover/Mario Gutierrez 123): #3 on the big board is the points leader for this field. Entered August on a six-race winning streak only to lose her last three. She is also running back on short rest as she just ran 2nd in a G1 at the beginning of the month. Non-effort against the boys that started this current three-race skid looks more and more like a blip on the radar and feels like she is here to compete for the big check.
#8 Wheres The Beef (Threshold/J. Bravo 123): Conditioner got a quick return on that auction investment as she took down a $150.000 restricted stake in debut for the barn. Gets her first crack at graded foes on the lawn going a bit further than she ever has. This is a much tougher assignment and the lack of turf races makes her a bit hard to handicap, but a minor award seems like the ceiling.
#9 Build Battle (Mb Stables/L. Saez 120): 3yo comes here off of solid back-to-back efforts in two races at the graded level for this outfit. Gets stuck with the outside post, but, more than anyone else (with the possible exception of the rail horse) in the field, this feels like it fits her schedule. Probably can’t make the big one even with a win, but this feels like a logical spot for this filly to try to grab a G1 win. Others may be more accomplished, but think she fits the race better than most.
Final Analysis: 7-1-9 in any order looks to be the logical trifecta in the $600.000 G1 Taylor Stakes at WO. Good luck to all of the participants!
Categories: STAKES ARTICLES
