The Noble Damsel Handicap – Grade III
BEL Race #5 1m Turf Graded Stake
Purse $200.000 For Fillies And Mares Three Years Old And Upward.
1 Absolute Bella Luz International Davis D
Claimed last time out when taking a high level claimer at SAR in a fast time she is thrown into the deep end here but is working fast and has bottom weight so is far from a no hoper. She had Quick Trigger behind her in that claimer which wasnt far from stakes race quality so this looks a good spot for her.
2 Quick Trigger D J C Racing Stables Gutierrez Mario
I am not sure she can beat Absolute Bella after their last clash over this trip but she stuck on OK that day and must represent a place chance off bottom weight. This one has been through some top stables though so its unlikely there is much improvement left in her and she wouldnt be my choice in an open looking race.
3 Walklikemydad Flamingg Moe Frey K
Gets top weight after a couple of great runs in graded company its a tough ask but she gets a good draw and an in form jockey so its not beyond her capability. She won the Wilshire Stakes over this trip in good style and then looked like the extra furlong was too much when running third in the Matchmaker finishing a length in front of the joint top weight Wednesday when third. She isnt working superstar times but she has the form on the board to be a winning chance in this race.
4 Woman On A Mission Greeko Holdem Castellano J J
Bought for $45.000 from John Henry this filly represents a good chance for this new trainer to HRP. Two good seconds in ungraded company suggest that after a long time flitting between trips and surfaces the right combination has been found. Some encouraging turf works support her liking for turf and she gets in with a competitive weight. and should be in the fight at the end.
5 Wednesday Fractious Alvarado J
This filly has done very well for the trainer since they claimed her last season. She took the ET Mint Julep Handicap under 120Lbs so this 121Lbs wont be beyond her capability but my only fear for her will be this mile which may be a little sharp for her. She made ground to be a length behind Walklikemydad in The Matchmaker but unlike a lot of these runners has proved up to this grade time and time again. She will run a big race but whether she can win under joint top weight remains to be seen.
6 Conkerberry Aer Stables Talamo J
Bought cheaply from Smokey Stover she has looked very good in overnight company but has yet to make her mark in this grade. Having said that she was in front in the grade two Lake Placid at the mile marker before weakening into second so clearly has the ability. The only crease in her chances is that she is a three year old and therefore gets the wrong end of the weights but the three’s are so dominant that it may not make a difference.
7 Spirits Feronia Straight Arrow Franco M
A classy sprinter she has raced well enough over a mile to suggest she wont be out of this with a very competitive weight. She was close up in the Royal Heroine Stakes finishing in front of Wednesday and with this lower weight she certainly has a very realistic chance.
8 Maria Alexandra Chili King Stables Prat F
Another that has sprinted well she too has raced over longer but hasnt looked quite as sharp as Spirits Feronia over the mile. Being drawn wide she may be sacrificed by the race engine to be the leader but i imagine her trainer will be busy trying to stop that happening so tactics for this one may be the most important thing. She is working well but this may be just beyond her.
9 Lancashire Hotpot Blazin D Cancel E
A very consistent sort she has won five races in her career but as yet hasnt raced in this sort of company. She has won all her races over sprint trips but in two efforts over the mile has looked strong enough to compete in this race. Again as a three year old she doesnt get the weight breaks she should under weight for age so may be disadvantaged by that but also has the wide draw to contend with which may be the hardest part.
SUMMARY
An interesting race with some speedsters drawn out wide and a couple of up and comers drawn inside. I think Absolute Bella is better than her form suggests and could run big especially as the two best horses in the race have top weight.
Categories: STAKES ARTICLES
