The Ballerina – Grade I [BC]
SAR   Race #7   7f   Dirt   Graded Stake
Purse $500.000  For Fillies And Mares Three Years Old And Upward.

1 Powerful War, trained by Kopites
She was pretty gutsy when taking the Whimsical Stakes by a nose back in April, but has only raced once since that, being in the Princess Rooney Handicap where she was a well beaten last. That was her first run for a while, so she may have been rusty, but she will have to improve a fair amount to get into the finish of this.

2 Fooling Me, trained by TwinTowersRacing
The winner of the Honorable Miss last time out with a  game effort for a head win, she has been pretty consistent this year, picking up a cheque in all her races. A through and through sprinter, this is probably her best trip, so she should be competitive.

3 Make It Known, trained by Mb Stables
Won the Princess Rooney Handicap last time, beating Powerful War and Aldonza. That was a career best effort and put her in a good place to run well today. She dropped back in trip that day after good efforts in route races, so she may have found her niche.

4 Lea, trained by Mb Stables
The easy winner of the Vinery Madison and the Humana Distaff at Grade One, she disappointed a little in the Hirsch last time, but still managed sixth beaten just two lengths after a horrible trip. The most accomplished filly in this race, she should win if that last run wasn’t a sign of deterioration.

5 Where To Find Me, trained by Mb Stables
Inevitably we have a lightly raced three year old from the stable who has 30% of the field, and the usual thing applies to her as does all the three year olds. Working similar times plus the weight allowance normally means one thing, so it is difficult to leave her out of your calculations. Racing just four times, she has won three, including the ungraded Shine Again last time. Shouldn’t win, but probably will.

6 Valiant Champ, trained by Mcl Stables
Another three year old to enjoy the weight break, she put a disappointing run in the Acorn behind her with a brilliant second in the Great Lady M Stakes last time. I dont think she is as good as many of these, but the weight allowance brings her right into it.

7 Aldonza, trained by John Henry
Well beaten last time in the Princess Rooney behind Make it Known, I see no reason why she will reverse that today. She has ability, as she showed in the Distaff Handicap over this trip, but her work times have fallen off a little, and she would be an outsider against this field today.

8 Que Seras Creeps, trained by D J C Racing Stables
Another three that comes into this with the weight allowance, she gets a poor draw but has run well enough in good company to suggest she will give a good account. She ran well for a long way in the Mother Goose last time, but in her last two starts has looked like a non stayer, so this drop to seven furlongs should suit.

9 Gottahotone, trained by Team 7 Illusions
Drawn in the car park, she may run a  similar race as she did when faced with the same in the Honorable Miss Last time. She ran pretty well with a  big weight and a wide draw to run fourth, and if she can clear the field early and set up a soft pace, she may be hard to get by.

SUMMARY
Lea should win, but the three year old from the same stable will.

Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES