The Ballerina – Grade I [BC]
7 Furlongs Dirt Stake Purse $400.000 Filly & Mare 3 Year Olds And Up

1st Ms Pea Aer Stables Hernandez R M

It was a typically up and down day for the trainer as their stable stars floundered when strongly fancied and this one won at 33/1 when probably the least fancied of the stable runners.
The starting price was a surprise to me considering she was one of only two three year olds in the race both of whom out drew the older horses and both of whom had a winning chance on the basis that three year olds at HRP dominate regardless of earlier form.
Having said that the winner of just a maiden claimer and ungraded stakes before this isn’t exactly grade one winning material but she had run well enough against her own age group when placed in some top fillies races so the win wasn’t exactly a huge shock.
Close to the pace she took over with just over a furlong to run and actually won pretty comfortably in the end. Congratulations to the trainer who will see this filly take her place in November.

2nd First Impression Mb Stables Court J K

Last year BC Fillies and Mares sprint runner up found out once again how hard it is to beat a three year old this year with a great effort from a horrible gate. Though the trainer may have been disappointed she didn’t win i am sure a better draw would have seen a win and so in hindsight i think this was a great effort. We should see her renew rivalry in November and i wouldn’t bet against her with a better draw come the big day.

3rd Tommy Frazier John Henry Gaffalione T

Came from far too far back to grab third and was making ground all the way to the line. It is always hard to come from a long way back in these types of races but the draw gave her little choice. Another one that will appreciate a bit more luck with the gates.

4th= Wbf No Regrets TwinTowersRacing Tunon M

Stalked the lead but could only keep on at the one pace in the end. She won the Humana Distaff in a faster time from a similar draw and with a similar run in transit but there were no three year olds in that race so though she only managed fourth she was right upsides the other older fillies and mares so this was by no means a failure.

4th= Class Status Fractious Bridgmohan S X

$550 to finish fourth doesn’t seem like a great investment but there was very little between everything but the winner and so this wasn’t a bad first start for the new owner. She had a sticky gate and a fairly difficult run so i am sure she will pay back plenty of that investment.

Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES