Beverly D – Grade I (P3) [BC]
AP Race #3 1 3/16m Turf Graded Stake
Purse $600.000 For Fillies And Mares Three Years Old And Upward.
As the three year old weight allowance shrinks the older horses start to come back a little and with just 4Lbs between the ages today it does bring some older horses into calculations. This is how they line up in this BC dress rehearsal:
1 Easier Said Mb Stables Bejarano R
The first of the two Mb Stables runners this three year old has yet to run against older opposition so her form needs to be taken very seriously indeed. She has improved nicely from two to three winning the Hercomesthebride Stakes on fast ground and then the Appalachian on soft ground proving she can act on either going which is a real plus. Her last start was in the BEL Oaks when she was drawn in the car park and ran a cracker to stay on late for fourth. Her works are already better than all the older fillies and mares so its safe to say as long as she doesnt get buried from this draw she would be a main chance for winning.
2 Folsom Tradition Team 7 Illusions Centeno D E
Just the five lifetime starts and a fair way behind Easier Said last time in the BEL Oaks you would have to say she has a bit to find but her sire Cherokee Sunset seems to be worth a few lengths at this level and i wouldnt be writing her for something so trivial as form and works. The biggest issue here may be the trip but seeing the trainer has two other good entries then i wonder whether she is here for her speed rather than her ability. Maybe a rabbit, maybe not either way i dont think she will be winning.
3 Diamond Tiara Blushing Meadows Landeros C
A good and consistent four year old with six wins but lets face it she hasnt got a hope against the three year olds. She has looked very good in the soft ground in her last two starts so some rain may bring her into the picture but other than that you only have to look at her age to write her off.
4 Smokin Nebulae John Henry Colon L H
Bought recently for $250.000 this six year old has amassed over $1,000.000 in prize money and showed last time in the Mint Julep Handicap that she retains ability. She is very good in the wet but looking at her recent works and form that may be her best hope of winning today.
5 She Great Team 7 Illusions Garcia Alan
Another by Cherokee Sunset and she looks far more likely of the two having won her last two over a trip. Unlike a few of these she hates the wet so the conditions will be the key to her performance but if she gets a good trip and her stable mate rabbits this race she could well come into things.
6 Number Nine Spankys Barn Van Dyke D
A bit of a classic HRP horses here. First up wins a free track maiden and then second up is running against older horses in a grade two stakes race. Se did well that day to end up fifth and then stepped up again in her third and only other start when beaten just a head in the Matchmaker. She is clearly a very good filly and will be among the favorites thanks to the weight allowance situation and if she can get involved in the finish again today she would put an even bigger price tag on her back.
7 I Justwantthe Purple Gdp Inc Pennington F
A real tough and consistent four year old she actually managed to win against the three’s last time out so must be considered one of the best hopes from the older ranks. That win was in the RGD where she beat The Universe who went on to nearly win the SAR Oaks so she clearly can give weight to good three year olds. Her win record is just OK but she has been involved in some of the best races in the past two years and is guaranteed to perform at this trip so may just be the safe bet in the race especially with the turf guru pennington aboard.
8 Proud Eights Estero Farms Maldonado E
She has improved this year and was huge in the BEL Oaks last time when running from a difficult draw to end up second beaten under a length. That form may just be the best in the race and i like the fact that her speed figures have been getting better with every race. The jockey is enjoying a comeback since he was given 10% status back and the trainer deserves a change of luck.
9 Stormy Embrace Mb Stables Velazquez J R
A lightly raced but consistent three year old she is having her first run on turf today which in real life would be a worry but here at HRP it doesnt make much difference. Beaten just a length when fifth in the KY Oaks she had won the GP oaks before that and she is clearly the best dirt runner in the race. If she can turn it on on the grass and her work suggests she can she will go very close.
10 Maggie Greene The Sidley Stud Ortiz I Jr
This eight race winning 1K plus four year old would probably start favorite in real life but she has two big things against her at HRP, the draw and the weights. She proved in the Diana last time when just beaten by the brilliant Na Pali that the three year olds hold no fears for her and she has coped with wide draws before so this may not be such a forlorn hope. She is not working as quick as the three year olds which is a worry but she has a ton of class and plenty of guts so i can see her running a big race today.
12 Nancy Broom Moytoy Team 7 Illusions Gutierrez Mario
The third of the Cherokee Sunsets She was a brilliant three year old but as most do has found things harder since turning four. She was just a smidgeon behind Maggie Greene in the NY so must have nearly as good a chance as that one which puts her right in this. The wide draw is tough but if her stable companion rabbits that may be an advantage and we know she will stay this trip.
14 Not Charleigh Now Gdp Inc Beschizza A
This four year old has three massive things against her, The car park draw, the weight allowance and the fact that she ran such a poor race from a wide draw last time out. Its a shame because she is a good sort as she showed when second in the Just A Game but i cant see her overcoming things today.
SUMMARY
A very good race and i hope it doesnt end up as the usual three year old domination because there are some good older horses here. So of the fours and up Maggie Greene, Nancy Broom Moytoy and I justwantthe Purple look the top three, of the three year olds it looks like Easier Said, Proud Eights and Stormy Embrace. History dictates one of the three year olds will win.
Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES
