Golden Rod – Grade II [KYO]
CD Race #6 1 1/16m Dirt Graded Stake
Purse $200.000 For Fillies Two Years Old.

Plenty of form in this race as we move from BC hopefuls to KYO hopefuls. Without any real superstars in the race it looks a close affair but then aren’t they all these days. Here is how i ranked them.

1 Exultant Gal TwinTowersRacing Bejarano R

Took her maiden after three good efforts at that level and was quickly stepped up to black type in her last two starts. The signs weren’t overly encouraging after a ninth in both the DMR Debutante and the Jessamine but she wasn’t beaten too far and it wouldn’t surprise me to see her sneak a place here.

2 Tall And Fast Arindel Gaffalione T

On a four timer after three wins at lower level she gets the perfect draw to make the step but a lot will rely on whether she has the class gene programmed in. She won over this trip in a CD optional claimer last time and did it well and her works suggest that she could indeed run well.

3 Just A Dream Paradise Stable Bridgmohan S X

Took her debut race and it is often tough for those that do that to get a second win and that has been the case for this filly. Having said that she has been close up in everything from allowances to grade ones and has NEVER got a decent draw like this before.Just a length behind in the DMR Debutante from gate ten i must admit there is a little piece of me that can see this one coming home purely because she got a decent draw this time.

4 Match On A Fire Alydar Stables Stein J

Had been switched to turf after gaining her maiden win and she ran second in the Catch A Glimpse Stakes before a great run in the Miss Grillo where she was beaten less than a length into sixth. Back to dirt today i think she could run well in what is a very even field.

5 Smiling Lucy Nakamura Stables Ryan S

Hugely impressive in her maiden she went on nicely from there o take the Rags To Riches last time over this trip and with Just A Dream behind. This isn’t the strongest graded stakes so that form is pretty good and Nakamura Stables has been in irresistible form this year.

6 Illusive Motives Smokey Stover Velazquez J R

This one has been successful on the state bred circuit winning the FL Sire Stakes Susan and finishing runner up in the FL Sires Stakes My Dear and The Vixen before that. So all the black type form is there but it is a little step from that level to this so she still has a little bit to prove. Having said that she is very consistent stays the trip and has a trainer that has made huge strides this year, a winning chance.

7 Story To Tell Mb Stables Davis D

This busy filly has run four seconds this year but has also managed to break her maiden in a stakes race which is normally a sign that a horse has the X Factor. She has been running over sprint type trips but has always looked like she would improve over a trip and she gets her chance today. The wide draw wont help but if Mb can work their magic then this one has to go into the hat with a winning chance.

8 Bless Her Heart M.a.r Racing Ortiz I Jr

It wouldn’t be a stakes race without a recently claimed horse that was looking to perform one of those HRP miracles. This three time winner looks a good claim and has won over this trip albeit on the turf so is not without a hope. She gets the wide draw as her penalty here which certainly wont help but being an on pace sort of she gets an easy lead she could just shock a few.

SUMMARY

A pretty even race i think i am going to go for Tall And Fast from the draw to beat home Illusive Moves and Story To Tell.

Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES