California Distaff Handicap
SA Race #8 5 1/2f Turf Stake
$100.000 For Fillies And Mares Three Years Old And Upward Foaled In CA.
Another one of those ‘handicaps’ where weight is less of a handicap than the draw. Just 5 go to post in a disappointing turn out but even with just 5 Mb Stables still dominates with 2 runners, here’s how they line up.
1 Growlness Our Athletes Prat F
If you can call being in receipt of 2Lbs bottom weight then yes this one gets in at the bottom of the handicap, couple that with a decent draw and the three year old must be in this tight little race. Consistent this season in overnight company many of her runs have been quicker than stakes winners so there is no reason to worry about her lack of graded stakes form against some of the others. Solid last time after a bit of a break her on pace style should be suited to the rail draw and a small field.
2 Right On Schedule Mb Stables Franco G
In true HRP classless style she broke her maiden in a stakes race on her fourth start. Since then she has failed in better grade but got back to winning ways in a decent MTH Allowance last time out. She gets the draw everyone wants to day and is working pretty much the same as everything else so pretty much has the same chance as everyone else but does have the 2 box.
3 Pivotal Cherokee Mo Mentum Farm Desormeaux
Tested in some stakes races over ground she didnt do too badly finishing fourth twice in grade three company over a mile plus. Her sprinting form is pretty good winning a nice optional claimer in a good time 2 back but disappointing a little in an ungraded stakes last time. The trip is the query.
4 Validation Team 7 Illusions Talamo J
It should be an easy choice putting the daughter of Cherokee Sunset in first especially as she is much better off than she would be at weight for age. The big question for her is that she hasnt raced over this trip since her debut run 3 years ago and all of her best form is over much further including a second in the grade two Yellow Ribbon Handicap the race before last over a mile and sixteenth. Trip at HRP however means so much less than in real life so she is definitely a main chance.
5 Retained Mb Stables Arroyo N Jr
Though she starts in the wide gate she is far from out of this but to be honest you could put a cigarette paper over the work times and form for this race so it really is another one of those lottery’s. A good winner of an open allowance at GG last time she is a proven sprinter and ran well when second in the Giants Causeway over this trip.
SUMMARY
Validation has plenty of things going for her as long as she can sprint today. She would be my top pick but in a race where about a nose separates them all it will just be down to which one the race engine picks.
Categories: STAKES ARTICLES, Ungraded
