Taylor Stakes – Grade I
WO Race #3 1 1/4m Turf Graded Stake
Purse $600.000 For Fillies And Mares Three Years Old And Upward.
As we play the boom or bust version of HRP it is a shame to see just one older filly bothering to contest this race because there are a lot that wont make the BC but are good enough to pick up a grade one like this. Generally this is either a race where the ones that wont get into the BC come or for those who need an extra point or two but with only the 8 runners it seems there are a lot of people still hoping to get into the big one and not risking a race so close to the November championship.
So with just 8 going to post for a $600 prize lets see whether the sole older horse stands a chance against the three’s.
1 Trippi Tip Toe Estero Farms Velazquez J R
This filly is exactly the type i would expect in this race, a filly hovering just in the qualifiers and if she can win today may find herself in the mix for the BC lottery. Grade one placed in the Rodeo Drive and The Diana she is yet to win a graded stakes race but has been within a head of it so may as well be treated as a stakes winner. She was really strong in the Rodeo Drive last time racing on the pace and sticking on gamely to be third beaten just a quarter length. A nice draw will allow her an easy stalk and she must be among the favorites to win.
2 Number Nine Spankys Barn Van Dyke D
Her only win came in a free track sprint maiden at the start of the year but since then has been thrown in the deep end and has run exceptionally well. Beaten a half length in the grade one Beverly D beating I Justwantthepurple by about a half length she may only have run 5 times but she is already a filly thats proven in this grade. This is another who will use the points to sneak into the BC picture and with the perfect draw she has every chance.
3 In Utero Rampage Stable Rosario J
Took 8 goes to break her maiden but did so in good style in a high track maiden in August. She then ran her first ever race on the turf in the Jockey Club Oaks and after stalking the lead got run out of it to end up fourth beaten a couple of lengths. Despite pretty average looking form apart from that last effort she is one of the best workers in the race and very often at HRP its not the best horse on paper that wins its the one that is showing improvement through works. She gets a good draw and would have a chance.
4 Broken Nail Mb Stables Hernandez R M
Bought from Fractious for $135 this filly won two claimers before being placed second in the Pucker Up Stakes last time out. The fact that she won claimers has nothing to do with anything here at HRP as the whole lack of class system means that claimers and stakes races contain very similar horses as she proved in that stakes race last time. Her works are as good as anything and she has the magic hands on Mb Stables clicking the instructions button so you have to include her in the chances.
5 Hopewell Tradition Team 7 Illusions Bejarano R
I am surprised to see this filly in this race as she is qualified for the BC but Team 7 likes to win races and she will probably start favorite to win this based on her form and its a big purse. The stylish winner of the BEL Oaks from off the pace she was then changed at the click of a mouse into a front runner for the SAR Oaks but it didnt works so well and she ended up fourth albeit only beaten a quarter length. The mouse was clicked again last time out and she became a closer again running out a cheeky winner of the Canadian Stakes from a nasty draw. Whether instructions or just the wide gate AI keeps changing her running style we can only guess that today she will settle just behind the speed and should have the guns to win.
6 I Justwantthe Purple Gdp Inc Lanerie C J
15th in the BC Standings this very good four year old looks to have found the very short development curve coming to an end. A graded stakes winner last year and this she was awesome in the Beverly D when storming home from a wide gate to be a close third but then could only manage tenth in the Canadian 6 lengths behind Hopewell Tradition. With no injuries at HRP we are left once again scratching our head as to why she ran so badly last time out but sometimes it can mark the beginning of the end and i feel tha trainer has come here as an easier option than the BC. Having said that Gdp has tunred some very poor form into stakes winners recently so maybe the magic touch will work again.
7 Stormy Embrace Mb Stables Maldonado E
Inevitably the second runner from the stable that doesnt like to have just one chance in a race she is another who could easily win. She finished upsides I Justwantthepurple in the Beverly D when fourth and was a solid third in the KD Ladies Turf last time. Put those runs with her GP Oaks win and a close up finish in the KY oaks and she represents an almost identical chance to most of the runners in this race.
8 Farley Countrygirl BomBay Stables Civaci S
Inevitably when a horse is put in a race like this with very little chance they are given the wide gate. Yes, i know its meant to be random, but i have seen it happen too many times to think thats entirely the case. So good on the trainer in having a go but i think we would all pack up and go play snooker if this one wins.
SUMMARY
Ok, so not the 8 and not the four year old, now get the pin out and stick it in. I guess Hopewell Tradition will start the favorite and should win this but if you want some odds how about In Utero.
Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES
