Last years winner with then four year old Osmium ( now at the breeding barns of Smokey Stover ) Dom, President and CEO of D J C Racing Stables is looking to put some “Love” into this years event. He will be sending sophomore Love Struck Baby to the post on Saturday here at Churchill Downs.
- Fleur De Lis Handicap- Grade II ( BC)- Purse $250.000
- Churchill Downs – For Fillies and Mares Three years old and Up
- One Mile and an eighth- Main Track
- June 15th, 2019
It must of felt quite gratifying for this trainer who was entering his seventh season here at HRP, to be able to capture an event that had been dominated in recent years by Mb Stables. That trainer had captured this event four years with different thoroughbreds, back to back in 2013/14, and then again in 2016/17. The two friends will once again get a chance to see who has brought their best to the dirt here at CD, and i can guarantee you they will both be gentleman and shake hands before and after this event. Four other trainer will want to spoil the apple cart as well, so lets take a look at all entries for this race. The winner will be sent for a shot at this years BC Distaff along with Misty Firefox ( Crocker Ggs ) who captured the Phipps last weekend at Belmont.
So as I mentioned in the opening comments, D J C Racing Stables is counting on Love Struck Baby to bring home the prize this season. The three year old is looking to be only the fourth sophomore to capture this event in sixteen seasons. She has drawn the outside post of seven, and has the experience of Velazquez in the irons. He has been struggling with her to find the winners circle of late, as she has not won since the Grade I Spinaway last season. Was full of run late last time out at this distance in the Kentucky Oaks charging up to be just two out. That was a muddy affair, and showers are not in the forecast till Sunday, so this may be her turning point. Will try to make this event her own.
As for Mb Stables, as usual he is more then likely to send out a couple of entries to try and capture an event. Looking at the pair, i would probably give the nod to So True in this race. Has been made the post time favorite by the betting public in his past six races, never longer then three to one odds. Earned a 97 SRF figure two starts ago when she finished just a half length back in the Gr. I Apple Blossom Hdcp. Her most recent saw her two shy in the Gr. II Ruffian Handicap over a good surface at Belmont last month. As for her stablemate Attitude Problem, she may be sent out to cause a little traffic issue in this one. Nothing intentional, but she may get quickly to the front and control the early fractions in this affair. She did capture the $100 Henson Handicap that way, as well as her maiden and an allowance event. Will be interesting to see if Dan chooses that tactic today.
Next lets look at The Sidley Stud entry of Red Lucy. She is coming off a win in the Gr. III Allaire Distaff Stakes at today’s distance. That was her first ever Graded company victory and it came in her first try at older company, so it was quite an impressive win. Trainer has opted to go back to the services of Ortiz once again, who guided her in the Gr. II Alexandra and the Gr. III Santa Ysabel Stakes earlier this year. Didn’t take part in the Oaks this year, and things look promising off her recent victory. Will definitely be closing late in this one.
Another entry that looks interesting is recent purchase for Joshua Stables by the name of Prima Dona, a granddaughter of Commanding. Has had a couple of sharp works since making the ride to this stable, her most recent was a bullet at Parx of 1:10 and one fifth. While she has shown she can compete early and may find herself keeping the pace honest, hopefully Bridgmohan will keep her a little reserved for the latter stages.
Team 7 Illusions will be sending out a sawbuck purchase by the name of Charo. Since that buy, she has come back to capture an Alw26.7 event going a mile and three eights, then a runner-up finish in a photo in the $100 Searching Stakes. For that event she carried a full 124 pounds so gets a kick back here. Only concern is that those two affairs came on the grass, and will she be able to make the switch to the dirt once again. She opened the season with a dirt victory again Clm25 company, so don’t discount to soon. She also earned a 95 SRF in her most recent.
Final runner for the event ( always keep the best for last ) will break from the rail post. Smokey Stover will be sending out Manifest to compete in this one. She has definitely been in the reconstruction phase since her one start of the season back in February against Alw45 company. In April she posted two bullet works at Santa Anita going the mile distance, and moved over to Parx for her most recent, a 58 and one a month ago. She came very close last season at capturing the Gr. I Acorn when she missed by a quarter of a length, so she has the talent. Rest and proper guidance could have her back on her game. Shadow roll comes back off.
Duffers Picks ( 7-2-4 ) Upsetter- Manifest
Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES
