Alexandra Stakes (Grade 2)- $200.000 Purse
FG- For Fillies Three Years Old
One Mile and One Sixteenth on the Dirt
February 17, 2018

Heading in to the Alexandra Stakes, Mb Stables seemed to have a very good opportunity to win with his talented group of fillies. Enoughs Enough had the look coming into this race of one of those horses that Mb Stables patiently brings along, and is ready to showcase them at the right time. She had been coming off a win in the Silverbulletday Stakes, and we made her our pick in this rather strong field. The end of this race showed just how evenly matched this field was. While Enoughs Enough and stablemate Most Charming were a length ahead of everyone else, the photo for 3rd consisted of everyone between the eventual third place running On The Square and the Levi Strauss pair that would dead hit for ninth (Levi Broom and Blue Jeans). For Mb Stables, this marks his third win in the stake, and it’s the second win for R Bejarano. Congratulations to them! The time of the win was 1:42.20, a middle of the road time as far as the stakes history is concerned. Before we go further, a little bit of housekeeping since the move was made after press time. Smoothie ended up being a late scratch, allowing Saratoga Stud’s City Never Sleeps to draw in. With that, let’s look at the race!

(1/4 Mile- :23.67)- Out of the gate, Magic Wheels breaks sharply for Mcl Stables and leads the way into the first turn. However, also breaking well from her far outside post was City Never Sleeps, trying to make the most of her opportunity in this race for Saratoga Stud. Midway through the turn, she would be the one assuming the lead, as Magic Wheels began to look as though she was being restrained. Also starting well were Diminuendo (Smokey Stover) and Most Charming, and they would be second and third now, with Magic Wheels fourth. In striking range just off the lead would be Seydoux, the surprising post-time favorite from Jerry Garcia Racing, and Levi Broom (Mb Stables). The eventual winner, Enoughs Enough, from Mb Stables, would be seen battling for seventh with Broomsticks Concerto (Drabfantasy), about four and a half lengths off the lead. Imperfect Warrior (Joshua Stables) was next on the rail, and then it was Light From Above (D J C Racing Stables) on the outside. Trailing were On The Square (Crocker Ggs) and Blue Jeans (First Class Stable), the latter of which seeming particularly sluggish out of the starting gate.

(½ Mile- :46.82)- This isn’t always the most interesting of sections in the race recap, but here the dropping back of Magic Wheels, who was clearly restrained, seemed to cause some traffic problems behind her at the top of the backstretch. It wasn’t anything big, but a few had to alter their paths. At the front, City Never Sleeps and Diminuendo were running well, and now had a two length advantage on Most Charming and Seydoux. Magic Wheels ultimately settled in on the rail in fifth. Moving up in the backstretch would be On The Square, splitting several that had been ahead of her, and was now running even with Levi Broom for sixth. Imperfect Warrior was a steady seventh here, as Enoughs Enough and Broomsticks Concerto still ran side by side. Enoughs Enough always had a nice clear lane in front of her, despite being outside, she always seemed to be well positioned for a move. At the rear, Blue Jeans and Light From Above ran together.

(Top Of Stretch, 2F To Go)- As the intensity of the race picked up as we made our way around the turn, we began to see who would emerge as the biggest players in this race. Most Charming was really looking good right here, and looked to go three wide around both Diminuendo and City Never Sleeps. The two pacesetters were trying to hang tough, but did not have the same forward push as did Most Charming at this point. A gap of a length and a half existed over the next three, which were still Seydoux, Levi Broom, and Magic Wheels, but neither of them seemed to be about to make a run. Instead, it was Enoughs Enough, utilizing that lane that was always clear directly in front of her to make the outside run. At the top of the stretch, she had just over three lengths to make up. Running even with her here was On The Square, and she too seemed to have a run coming, but would have more traffic in front of her. Light From Above was looking to make a wide move and seemed full of run herself. Broomsticks Concerto, Imperfect Warrior, and Blue Jeans, all seemed to be lacking run at this point.

Finish (1:42.20)- In the stretch, Most Charming was looking strong, but only had one coming at her. For a moment, Mb Stables may have a bit of a concern before realizing, “yep, she’s mine too!”, before taking a deep breath. Enoughs Enough was strong in the stretch and chased down her stablemate, before getting up by a nose ahead of her. A strong run for both of these, and the trainer should certainly be thrilled. Behind her, we just had a stampede of fillies between third and tenth that all could have finished in any of those positions, and if a trainer had a finisher in the top ten, they should not be discouraged. On The Square ran nicely on the rail, and actually handled traffic well, to be up for 3rd, ahead of a dead heat for fourth between Diminuendo and Light From Above. The latter of which may have been the second strongest runner in the stretch. Then its Magic Wheels, Seydoux, City Never Sleeps, Levi Broom, and Blue Jeans and they could have finished in any order. Broomsticks Concerto was only a length behind that, herself. Imperfect Warrior brings up the rear.

About The Winner- Enoughs Enough, trained by Mb Stables, and ridden by R Bejarano, is a three year old filly be Grandeur and out of Panoramique. She was bred in Florida by Mb Stables as a second quarter two year old, and they have been together throughout. Congratulations to the connections! The win is her third in four starts, her second stake win, and first graded win. Her career earnings are now $236.400.

Track: Fast
Time: :23³  :46⁴  1:10³  1:42¹

$2 Mutuel Prices:

$1 Exacta: 4 – 7 Paid 74.20
$1 Trifecta: 4 – 7 – 10 Paid 1,277.50

Scratched: Niagra Mrs, Smoothie

Winner picked by NS

— NS

Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES