After a runner-up and a show placing this season on the turf in two top notch Graded events, this four year old from the First Class Stable group is hoping that Arlington Park holds the key to getting to the winners circle.

• AP Matron Stakes- Grade III Purse $100.000
• Arlington Park- For Fillies and Mares Three years old and Upward
• Nine Furlongs- Main Track
• June 1st, 2019

Well after an amazing weekend on the west coast, I landed at O’Hare and took a twenty minute cab ride with Greg of O’Hare Airport Taxi and arrived here at Arlington Park. The grounds here have always been a sight to see, and I booked my box seat on the 3rd level for Saturday’s event. But enough about my day, lets have a look at this field and see if we can narrow it down to the top two runners.

So continuing on with Blue Jeans, she is one of two older four year olds who will be strapped with the 124 pounds for this event. She started this season off with a runner-up placing in the Gr. III Astra Stakes going twelve panels. Her most recent was the mile and a half Gr. III Bewitch, where she would place third. She did capture the Gr. II Black Eyed Susan event in the slop at PIM, so it all depends on whether the turf strengthened her, or she will be able to make the transition back.

The other four year old here will be Fractious‘ Red Trance who made her way to this stables out of a claim back in February. Trainer has some major confidence with this black colored filly off a runner-up finish against OpClm25. Her most recent was probably a few marks above her ability when she competed in the Gr. I La Troienne Stakes, but the track was muddy that day and that could have factored into her fifth of five finish. Still feel she may need a few to get her head into winning.

Three other three year olds are in the running as well. From the rail and my first time covering this trainer in a stakes article will be Key To Class ( Toppedout ), bringing home this trainers first Graded company victory with a win in the Gr. III Beaumont. Tried a switch to the grass in her most recent, placing third in the $100.000 Campanile. She earned a 94 SRF figure for her effort in the Beaumont, and that came from the two hole, so she should like the rail as well for this event.

To her outside in the gate will be Deliberate Miss ( Mb Stables ) , a purchase for this Top trainer that paid off in her first two starts off the shelf. Broke her maiden at SA, then a victory at SUN in the SUN Oaks. Faced a full field of talent in the Gr. I Kentucky Oaks, and with the off track conditioning, She never got her head into the game. No changes for adds for this event, so will be a late effort once again as her new trainer looks to be interested.

The final sophomore will be Obvious Deception ( Nakamura Stables ) who will break from the middle of this pack out of gate 3. Went runner-up two starts ago in the Bourbonette going a mile, then found the winners enclosure last time out taking home the victory in the CA Oaks. Has been progressing nicely and has the second best most recent SRF figure behind Blue Jeans, so will have to figure into the mix.

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Duffer ( 5-3-1 )

Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES