First Lady – Grade I [BC]
1 Mile Turf Stake Purse $400.000 Filly & Mare 3 Year Olds And Up.

1st     Ete Creek       Gdp Inc       Centeno D E

This filly showed just how form can flip flop at HRP with the draw and the going being a huge factor in a horses performance. After this filly won The Very One she looked like a filly that was going places but then she struck an off track in The Wiley before bouncing back to be second on a better track and from the two gate in the grade one La Troinne. Then came a run of three wide draws and we saw three pretty ordinary performances that seemed to flag this filly as more of a grade three level horse. Today however she gets back in the two gate and viola she becomes a grade one winner with a smooth performance from the stalk and a game half length win. Can the game really be as simple as having a good horse and hoping it draws well? Whilst that may be the case a lot of the time we also know that with certain conditions those wide gates can produce winners too but certainly in this fillies case the draw certainly worked for her today.

Bred by the owner she has certainly promised this sort of win and now gets an automatic spot in the BC where if she draws well she could be in with a great chance. Congratulations to Gdp Inc !

2nd      Why You Do That        Mb Stables         Gaffalione T

None of the next three home will make the BC which is a shame for this filly who has been fourth in a grade one this year and now second in her last two at graded stakes level. A solid and consistent type she continues to run well just below the big time but maybe one day she will have the spotlight on her.

3rd     Party In The Brig      Mo Mentum Farm       Espinoza V

The three year old ran a super race from the wide gate coming from a long way behind to end up third less than a length behind the winner. The way the three year old improvement curve has worked this year has meant there are some good fillies that wont get in the BC this year but i have a feeling that this one will be there next year after this huge effort.

4th       Marner       Mb Stables         Jaramillo E

The ability to completely change the running style of a horse was once again demonstrated here as this filly that made all to win last time turned into a closer today to rush home for fourth. Whether it was the owner or the race engine that made the change we will never know but this was a big effort from a filly that looks like she will make her mark now the three year olds have got their maturity boost.

Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES