The Ballerina – Grade I [BC]
7 Furlongs Dirt Stake Purse $500.000 Filly & Mare 3 Year Olds And Up.

1st Crush Space High Voltage Ortiz I Jr

The three year old weight allowance worked its magic again in this race turning this half decent three year old into a BC contender overnight. Bought for just $15.000 after consistent efforts at overnight level she won an ungraded stakes on the turf for her new owner before running a never dangerous fifth in her first attempt at graded stakes in the grade three Pitcher Stakes. Step forward a month and here she is winning a grade one against a host of graded stakes winning fillies and mares with a huge closing effort which saw her grab victory by a quarter length. It was a solid pace rather than crazy fast but certainly plenty fast enough to see this filly close like a train at the end. This is a great victory for the owner, their first grade one, now the trick is getting her to do it again.

2nd Indian River Queen South Beach Racing Navarro J

This filly has always been consistent but she is one of the few four year olds than can get close to the three’s and has certainly improved over the year. Like the winner she was backed off the strong pace and flew home failing by just a quarter length. She loves this trip and should continue to give a strong account of herself heading to November.

3rd Starlite Run D J C Racing Stables Franco M

Dealt with the wide gate well sitting just better than midpack and running on well despite a tough trip. It seems like a long time since she ran up six wins in a row but this was a good effort and i am sure she isnt finished yet.

4th Red Broom John Henry Talamo J

The wide gate speed push helped her get into a good lead but she had to go some to get near the rail and didnt have enough left for the end. This was a game effort though to be only beaten a length in the end and i am sure with a better draw in future she will find some amends.

Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES