The Yellow Ribbon Handicap– GII
                     DMR Race 5 1 1/16M – Turf
                             Purse $200.000
       Three Year Olds and Up Fillies And Mares

A field of seven fillies and mares will be lining up on the Del Mar turf course to try and take down this grade three Yellow Ribbon Handicap. There is some very good fillies and mares in here and I think it will be an exciting race for sure. Let’s take a look at the field and see if we can pick a winner.

1. Sovereign Nation (29-6-4-7 $127.360), trained by Paradise Stable

Here’s a filly who tries hard every time but sometimes just doesn’t get there in time. She likes to come from way back most of the time. The pace will have to be very quick to help her a whole lot and give her a better chance. She has a shot of they go quick enough on the front end and she runs her race.

2. Speeding Slayer (13-4-2-5 $286.760), trained by Jader Stable

Here is another filly who likes to come from way back in the field most of the time. She will also need a pretty quick pace to get the money but I still think she has a good shot regardless. She is coming off of a grade three so let’s she if she can keep the ball rolling or not. She is my top pick in the race.

3. Validation (17-5-3-4 $295.780), trained by Team 7 Illusions

This filly will be making a return to the turf after a third place finish last time on the turf in the Chicago Handicap at AP. She has done most of her best work on the turf so I think switching back over to the turf will be in her favor and I think she has a decent shot. I think she has a shot to win.

4. Devil Wears Prada (46-12-8-8 $2,495.780), trained by Axeman

The old class mare field is going to be my top pick and she looks like the best horse in the race. She has been on the biggest stages and has ran good in bigger races than this before. I think her class alone will get her home in front and she will win I think. As long as she shows up she is my top pick.

5. Born From Mrs Z (14-3-4-4 $366.490), trained by Mb Stables

This filly from the barn of trainer Mb Stables looks like the speed of the field especially if she runs like she did last time where she was on the front until late in the race. If she gets to the front she will really need to slow down the pace or she will have to come from behind to have any shot.

6. Pip Kadabra (24-5-7-2 $889.410), trained by Chili King Stables

Here is a grade one winning mare on the turf who last year was really running good and it seems she may have lost a step this year. She has been winless since that last win in October in the grade one Flower Bowl. I don’t see her winning unless she really turns around her form from her recent races.

7. On The Straight (22-12-4-1 $510.290), trained by Mb Stables

The second entry from Mb Stables is this win machine as she has won over half of her races in her career. She is on the outside but I don’t think it will be much of a difference if she shows up with her best. She looks like one of the top dogs in the field and she should be tough and run a good race.

Summary

It’s a pretty nice field that will be lining up in here. Devil Wears Prada and On The Straight look like the top two in the field to me but I am going to give the nod to Devil Wears Prada. It looks like a very nice race on paper and I think it will be a good race. Good luck to everyone in the race.

4-7-3-2

Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES