Saturday’s BC festivities kick off with the leading Juvenile Fillies marching to post in the Grade I BC Juvenile Fillies with its $2,000.000 purse for the 1 1/16 mile run. Over the years many high value fillies have crossed the finish line first. Last year’s winner, Downwind Stables’ The Reaper went on to win the KY Oaks for new owner Heavens Own, who sends Plucky Elmo in today’s test. Maverick Racing’s Short Dog won the year before and has gone on to nearly #2, 500.000 in earnings. YME Stable’s Vouvray won the 2011 race and sold for $2,250.000 and earned nearly $3,500.000 before retiring.
It’s hard to look at any horse in this race without thinking she has a chance to win. From my take on it, the best chance seems to go to Wicked Heat which won the Grade I Chandelier Stakes. Notarized Kate looks close off her win in the Frizette and Sneaky Fantastique which ran second in the Chandelier Stakes. In any event, the race promises to be highly contentious and tight at the wire. Most of these fillies have been romping. I doubt that will be today’s finish.
6 – Wicked Heat 98
Ch f by Commanding-Soul Gem, by Ghost Walker
Br: EasyMoney Stables (ON*)
Owner: EasyMoney Stables
Jockey: Nakatani C S
Wicked Heat comes into this rest with the best of form. She scored a fast win in the Grade I Chandelier Stakes at SA by a handy clear margin. This followed an easy allowance win that turned her connections to thinking about this path. She has won three of her five starts and been close in the others. With the good post, she should make it three in a row and capture the big prize.
11 – Notarized Kate 98
Bl f by Gunga Din-Carry On Loving, by Bombay Punk
Br: La Bahia Stables (Tex*)
Owner: Pristine Stables
Jockey: Leparoux J R
After winning her first two races, Notarized Kate has been winning every other race and running second in the others. Her last three races have been three of the top graded races in the virtual world, and she has lost but one and that by a nose. Most recently she romped to an easy win in the Frizette at BEL. This race will be the first test of her ability beyond a mile, but she shows every sign of continuing on, and should be a factor at the wire.
2 – Sneaky Fantastique 96
B f by Sneaky Little Pirate-Balai Fantastique, by El Gran Broomstick
Br: Drabfantasy (Cal*)
Owner: Yahudi Stables
Jockey: Castellano J J
Sneaky Fantastique was handed her first loss last out in the Grade I Chandelier Stakes where Wicked Heat bested her by two lengths. Considering the fact that I place that one in the winner’s circle in this test, it’s no surprise I place her in the top three here. Prior to that second, she won all three starts, including the Grade II Sorrento Stakes at DMR. A win is a strong possibility, if she doesn’t get too far back again.
5 – Hawaiian Pirate 93
B f by Sneaky Little Pirate-Wowie Maui, by Nebraska Daddy
Br: Night Mare Racing (Cal*)
Owner: Australia Wide
Jockey: Moran D
This lightly-raced juvenile broke her maiden at DMR and followed up with a driving win in the Grade I Alcibiades locally. Only three starts she’s winning Grade I races and working 1:37. In the hands on the legendary Knight, she could walk off with this one too.
12 – Drill 93
Gr f by Commanding-A Dime A Dozen, by Forum Dancer
Br: Bigking (Cal)
Owner: Bigking
Jockey: Bejarano R
Another lightly raced filly, Drill won the Grade I DMR Debutante in her her third start after scoring a come from behind win in a mile maiden at DMR. While there could be some concern about the seven furlongs of the DMR Debutante, she showed her distance ability in the maiden race and her racing style in the stakes race.
9 – Aldonza 92
B f by Il Miglio Fabro-Fast Nevada, by Nevada
Br: Jerry Garcia Racing (Ky*)
Owner: Jerry Garcia Racing
Jockey: Albarado R J
Aldonza was a flying second in the Grade I Alcibiades here at KEE, missing the win by ¾ length coming from far back. Prior to that run, she won the AP-Washington Lassie at AP. With top trainer Jerry Garcia at the helm, getting works like the 1:36 3/5 out of her, she stands a good chance of being involved at the wire.
8 – Downtheredcarpet 94
B f by Model American-Get The Tarp Out, by Dark Laff
Br: Barcelona Farms (NY*)
Owner: Night Mare Racing
Jockey: Velazquez J R
Never worse than second in five starts, Downtheredcarpet was second in a sloppy Frizette behind second choice here, Notarized Kate. That test showed some promise for the added distance. Prior to that palce, she reeled off three sprint wins, topped by the $200.000 Seeking the Ante. Distance is the question for this one.
1 – Plucky Elmo 90
B f by Plucky Mach-E Adventure, by Elmo
Br: Hawaiian Shirt Guy (ON)
Owner: Heavens Own
Jockey: Ortiz I Jr
After a strong start in life a win in the Nandi Stakes at WO and a second in the Grade I DMR Debutant, Plucky Elmo draws one of the least appealing posts sitting at the rail. After running up the track in Frizette last out, she changed hands for $425.000 and shows up here hoping to turn the last performance around.
3 – Klassy With A K 88
B f by Abalakov-Shessomething, by Black Jack Mojo
Br: Halo Thoroughbreds (La*)
Owner: Halo Thoroughbreds
Jockey: Eramia R E
Klassy With A K has been busy this year with 4 wins from 8 starts, including a win in the Grade I Spinaway at seven furlongs at SAR. She followed that win with a disappointing eighth as the favourite in the Grade I Alcibiades locally, and that was her first route, so could be trouble.
4 – Roller Coaster 91
Bl f by Charleys Jingle-Big Mach, by Machiavellian Boy
Br: Blushing Meadows (NY)
Owner: Blushing Meadows
Jockey: Rosario J
Roller Coaster gave an even performance in the Grade I Chandelier Stakes, so was dropped back to six furlongs in the Grade II Matron at BEL which she won in an impressive come from behind win. Now we find out if she’s ready to back to the route.
7 – Lea 94
B f by Quick Code-Internet Speed, by Sir Speedy
Br: D J C Racing Stables (NY*)
Owner: D J C Racing Stables
Jockey: Ortiz J L
Lea has yet to win a major race, but she has been in the money in two graded stakes in her four races. After a disappointing fourth as the favourite in the Grade II Pocahontas at CD, she closed begrudgingly in the Grade I Frizette at BEL from post one in the slop. Maybe.
10 – Technomin 98
Giant Dissapointment-Thirlling Know How, by Thirlling Star
Br: The Sidley Stud (Tex*)
Owner: The Sidley Stud
Jockey: Solis A O
After closing well for third in the seven furlong DMR Debutante, Technomin stretched out to today’s distance in the Grade III Mazarine BC Stakes, and she won smartly. This one looks like the race’s best longshot chance.
13 – Viking Rush 92
Gr f by Viking Rage-Rushmore, by Monument
Br: Delta Farms (Ky*)
Owner: Delta Farms
Jockey: Bridgmohan S X
Out here in the desolate lands of horrible post positions, lightly raced and undefeated Viking Rush hopes to prove she is the next wonder horse. Winning a Grade II route in her second race certainly gives her a big start for that title. Now she needs to repeat.
14 – Disney Music 92
B f by Catch A Rising Star-Candace, by Vee Day
Br: Sarah Stables (ON*)
Owner: Sarah Stables
Jockey: Espinoza V
The ultimately bad post goes to Disney Music, but her running style may help. In two Grade I races most recently she was a fast-closing third, and with a 1:37 1/5 prep, she can’t be counted out.
Categories: BC 2015-17, THE BREEDERS CUP
