The Iowa Oaks – Grade III
 PRM Race #1 1 1/16m Dirt Graded Stake
Purse $225.000 For Fillies Three Years Old.

1       Adrift At Sea        Threshold            Gaffalione T

A late entry to make up the numbers this filly has a few good efforts under her belt but has yet to really string anything together. In her only start over a longer trip she was third in the Tempted so this longer trip may suit but she faces a few good ones here and may be looking for some place money.

2        Ginger Lee          Nakamura Stables          Murphy Ci

Won her maiden on the free track on debut as a three year old and hasn’t looked back since. After a pay allowance win she went on to a fine second in the Bourbonette Oaks and then recorded a solid win in the CA Oaks over this trip. She failed to step up when trying to make all in the Summertime Oaks last time but still ran with some credit to be fifth. She looks a progressive sort and i would expect her to find a nice position from this draw and be a real danger.

3         Foregone Conclusion        D J C Racing Stables       Jaramillo E

Fourth in the BC Juvenile Fillies last year from a wide draw she has struggled a bit to fulfill the promise of that effort. She has put in some good ones most notably a fourth in the GP Oaks and second in the Eight Belles this year but there has also been some ordinary efforts to balance those out. On her best form she would go close to winning but she seems to lack a strong finish and that may find her out of they are neck and neck down the stretch.

4         Pie Hole          Night Rider Stables        Bahen S R

The winner of her last two but they were both in claimers. Now we all know the class of the race means nothing at HRP so the fact that she takes a big step up here needn’t be a huge worry. Her works suggest she is better than a claimer and her trainer has succeeded before with similar types in these races so it is hard to rule her out.

5       Creepy Crawlies        Mb Stables          Bridgmohan S X

You have to respect anything from this stable but whilst this filly is certainly a top contender she isn’t exactly a sold out, stamped down certainty. Certainly on her win in the Honeybee and third in the Fantasy you would expect her to start favorite but she disappointed a little in the KYO and Summertime oaks so has something to prove today. Normally a closing type the wide gate shouldn’t worry her unless she is thrown into the lead.

SUMMARY

On all known form this should be between Creepy Crawlies and Foregone Conclusion but i rather think Ginger Lee may have a bit more depth than those two and am willing to speculate that she she get the better of them from her nice draw.

Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES