The 19th Running of the G1 Hirsch Stakes
Saturday, August 6, 2022
DMR Race #8 $400.000
Fillies and Mares 3+ 120/124 Lbs 11/16
Automatic Qualifier for G1 BC Distaff
Track Record-1:39.81 (Fab Four-2012)
Stakes Record-1:40.86 (Brandy Punch-2012)
Saturday’s action at DMR brings us an automatic qualifier to the G1 BC Distaff with the 19th running of the G1 Hirsch Stakes. Carded for 3yos-and-up, no sophomore fillies decided to cast their lots here and we’ll have six talented older ladies in the DMR starting gate for this one. Speaking to the quality assembled in the gate, four of these ran in last year’s BC (Mag Ol and Laffy Crack in the Distaff; Tenrikyo and Precise Performance in the F&M Sprint) and all six look to, at least, be on that trail this season. Let’s meet the field for the 19th running of the G1 Hirsch Stakes:
#1 Starship Twister (TwinTowersRacing/E. Jaramillo 124): Mare started her 5yo season with an ungraded stakes victory and will be running in her fifth consecutive graded race since. Only has a couple of show performances against the division’s best, but she draws well for this and sometimes that is enough to get over the hump in these highly-competitive fields.
#2 Mag Ol (Greyfriars Stable/H.A. Karamanos 124): 4yo is winless since March of 2021 and only has three ITM finishes from nine starts since the G2 FG Oaks victory. The majority of her races have seen her drop well back before attempting to rally through the lane; however, maybe trying the December tactics again could keep her closer in this one. Draws well so it will just be a matter of working-out a trip that gives her the best chance for success.
#3 Laffy Crack (Night Rider Stables/V. Espinoza 124): 6yo mare got a much-needed win last out in a SA G2 and looks to capitalize on that confidence booster here. Was able to keep contact with the leader in that June effort and it would probably be a good idea to try to duplicate that trip from this post. Not the most consistent horse in the game, but it a very tough out when she shows up ready to run.
#4 Take The Fifth (TwinTowersRacing/Ru. Gonzalez 124): 5yo seems to be hitting her best stride this season with a couple of nice allowance scores and three consecutive solid efforts versus stakes company. She likes to be forwardly-placed and could clear those inside of her in her first try at this G1 level; however, that 2nd-placed effort in the G2 Santa Margarita showed she can rate a little as well.
#5 Tenrikyo (Smokey Stover/P. Lopez 124): 6yo has stayed busy this season as this will be her seventh start of 2022, and she’s already garnered a G1 and a G3 in her three wins this season. Not sure what to make of the non-effort in the G1 Phipps, but going to give her the benefit of the doubt and assume that was a one-off and not an indication that she’s finished winning at this level. Very dangerous with her best stuff.
#6 Precise Performance (Mb Stables/D.E. Centeno 124): 5yo was the BC Distaff champion as a sophomore and just missed in the F&M Sprint Division last season. Made the conditioner look good with the stretch-out win last month in a G2 and stays in this division despite cutting-back quite a bit this time. Ultra-consistent mare has been in the exacta in eight of her last nine starts and figures as one of the ones despite being caught wide here.
Final Analysis: This race feels like it sets-up too well for Tenrikyo for her to stub her toe again. We’ll call it 5-3-6 in the G1 Hirsch Stakes at DMR. Good luck to all of the runners and conditioners in all of their races on this big weekend of action!
Categories: STAKES ARTICLES
