8   SA            BC Fillies & Mares Sprint (GI)

     $1,000.000     3yo&Up   F&M        7f       Dirt       3yo 122lbs, Older 124lbs

What a great group of speedsters, set to go 7f on the main track here on BC Day, and we look at the field for the BC Fillies & Mares Sprint – Grade I and what appears to be a very competitive lot.  The distance is what has my head in a bit of a spin, as many of these have done their work at the 6f distance, but many have seen this distance, or longer, so I don’t think it will factor in quite as much as my little brain is making it out.

I’m looking at the big dog to take home the top prize in this one, and Mb Stables always has a loaded gun.  First Impression looks to be the big ammo to me, and I’ll give her the nod today.  She was very game taking the TC of America (GII) at KEE in her most recent, and I’ll look for her to run similarly here.  She stalked the pace in that one, and she should have the tactical speed to do likewise today.  She’s always around while facing the toughest company, drew a fairly decent post, and I just have a feeling that she is going to repeat.

Another that has been the picture of consistency and was a neck back to my top choice in the TC of America (GII) is Gobeki Tepe, and she will be my second choice here.  How can you fault this filly, five wins from seven starts, on the board and very close in the other two races and this 3yo looks to be coming to her best form at just the right time.  That last out effort was a six panels and she may relish the extra furlong today… either way, if she can overcome the post, look for her to be a major player.

Eros is another that has been close in all of her starts this year, and another that seem to be getting better with every start.  The barn has brought her along slowly this year, with only four starts since May, but she ran a big race over this track last out and I’m always a fan of home cookin’.  I’d love to see her use the inside part of the track, sit in behind the pace to have a clear shot at them when they turn for home.

The Green Card really likes Sharp Suit coming off of that win at CT, which was at today’s distance, and Scotty sees things much differently putting Are We Dreamin in the middle of things, along with British Chai, whom I also like, if she can make the post a non- factor.  Let’s face it, the sprint races are always tough and there’s no reason to think this one will be any different. 

Here’s The Field –   

She nailed down her second stakes score of the season last out while taking the PID Masters Stakes (GII), and she beat a real nice group of horses that afternoon.  Her other ’19 win came back in the spring over a wet surface, up north, but again, she beat graded foes that day.  I think she’s a horse that may be somewhat overlooked at the betting window, but has a big chance.

What a fantastic purchase.  It’s not every day you can get a graded stakes winner for $10.000.  Since changing hands, she was sixth at CT while seeing traffic problems and then changed tactics to lead and fade when third in the TC of America (GII) at KEE last out.  She was second only a length back vs. GI company at SAR back in the summer, so there’s no doubt she can compete. 

A very consistent filly that seems to have gotten her bounce out of the way when dull at WO back in Aug.  She got a break and returned to form when closing late to just miss in the LA Woman (GIII) over this track.  Her only seasonal win was vs. GI company at KEE back in the spring, and if she can return to that form, she may be a hand full in this one.

Another that just missed last out when second in the Bloom Hcp (GII) at BEL.  She’s also another that hasn’t had her picture taken since the spring, and she won the Behold (GI) over this track, getting it done that afternoon.  She’s had two wins, both graded races, and a third in her three trip over this track, so she may be a horse for the course.

Another beauty that sold for a mere $10.000, and since changing barns she’s seen nothing but graded foes.  She got the job done last out when taking the LA Woman (GIII) over this track and she’s been on the board in all four of her starts over the SA track.  Home cooking could spell win for this girl.  I think you have to use her on all tickets today.

Three wins from seven seasonal starts and she’s been all or nothing this year, taking the CT Oaks (GIII) last out along with a graded win at CD back on KYD Day over a wet strip.  She was sixth/seventh in between those two races, so when she fires, she is a world beater and when she doesn’t, she doesn’t.  Which horse do we get today?

Impressive race last out taking the TC of America (GII) at KEE and did it vs. a nice group of horses.  She’s been close in all of her races this year, but it had been a gap between wins as her previous victory came back in Feb.  It’s been a very consistent year for this one and there’s no reason to think she will not put her best foot forward today.

Looked good winning the Princess Rooney Hcp (GII) in June and followed that up with a near miss in the Ballerina (GI) at the Spa after a short rest.  She just ran mid-pack throughout in her most recent, The PID Masters (GII) when sixth that day.  She’s been on a steady string of works at Calder getting ready for this one and makes her first trip to the left coast trying to make history.

Another that is having a “light switch” year of either great or bad.  Won the Test (GI) like a true champion, then beat one as the post time favorite in the PID Masters (GII) last out.  She has three wins from her seven ’19 starts and has built a nice bankroll in those races.  You don’t do that unless you are facing some stiff competition and she’s certainly seen that.  It’s just a question of does she fire or clunk.

A single win from her six starts this year, and she took the Humana Distaff (GI) back in May.  Since then it’s been tough rowing, with a pair of fifth place finishes and a sixth last out in the LA Woman (GIII) over the local surface.  At 6yo, she’s the matron of the group, but with $2.8 in the bank, I’d never write her off.  Can she regain the glory one last time?

Another fantastic purchase, changing hands for just $15.000 back in April after an extended vacation.  Since then, she has been a roller coaster of form, winning the Wild Applause at BEL on the grass and the Ballerina (GI) at SAR.  In between, it was a fifth in the Pitcher Stakes (GIII) at MTH and a complete dud when eleventh of twelve in the Cotillion (GI), her most recent.  You can make a case as both of the poor efforts were at the mile and a sixteenth distance and she seems to be best sprinting, and here we are.

Talk about a sweet purchase…  just $10.000 for this one and what has she done since?  Five wins, a second and a third including a victory in the Prioress (GII) at SAR and then just missing by a neck last out when second in the TC of America (GII) at KEE, and she was closing fast that afternoon.  Bejarano get the return ride and he was up for both of the graded stakes efforts.  She looks tough.

Quite a season despite only have four starts this year… she won the Fritchie Stakes (GIII) to get the year started, then followed that up with a win at GP in the Inside Information (GII), then things changed in a bad way.  Tiring to be seventh in the Phipps (GI) and just never really getting things going when seventh last out in the Ballerina (GI).  She seems to do her best coming back from a rest, and that last out was in August so can she muster the stuff to pull the upset?

This filly has been real tough all year, showing two wins and hitting the board in seven of nine starts.  Add in that both of the wins were vs. graded company, the barn had to be super positive coming into this race.  Then, the fourteen post happened and it’s just heart breaking and quite a task to overcome.  Very interesting jock assignment, bringing Davila in from FL, but when you look at his strengths, maybe there’s a plan in that.

Last pair of races are forgettable but she has four wins, two of those vs. graded horses, so if she does draw into the race, she could be a factor.

Some nice races earlier in the year and would need to find some of that mojo, along with some luck, to both draw in and get in the middle of things.

Consistent type that just couldn’t get a win, which would have stamped her ticket into the field.  Look for her in a graded stakes near you… soon.

Winless this year but was close in some tough races.  She’s another that will be seen in a stakes race in the near future.

COZMAN Picks  7  /  12  /  5       Willie’s Green Card    12 / 7 / 6            Scotty   7  /  3  /  14

Categories: Grade I