Zenyatta Stakes – Grade II [BC]
SA Race #6 1 1/16m Dirt Graded Stake
Purse $200.000 For Fillies And Mares Three Years Old And Upward.
It gives me great pleasure to take on the write up for this race because Zenyatta was one of my favorite horses to grace our wonderful sport. It still gives me goose bumps to watch her fly home to win the Classic all those years ago, i had backed her and was crying into my hot chocolate but when they hit that stretch i just couldn’t believe she would win. The commentators words said it all and there are very few horses that could ever have done what she did that day.
Sadly i don’t think the simulated racing game will ever be able to bring that sort of excitement and emotion to us but there is no doubt if you own the pixels that fly down the middle to win the heart beats just a little faster. There are no Zenyatta’s in todays field but some nice fillies and mares will do battle for a chance to fight again in the BC in November.
1 Fair On Friday Gdp Inc Stein J
7th in the Distaff last year like most four year olds she has had a tougher time this season without the three year old weight allowance. At this time of year though things start to even out a little and i liked the way she never gave up in the Shuvee last time when a very close third suggesting she is bang on for today. You can’t knock any filly that can work a 1.36 and 1 for the dirt mile and she gets the perfect draw to stalk the lead today.
2 Cream Soda Nakamura Stables Ryan S
Bought at auction for $223 way back in June this is her first run since May so it is clear Nakamura has taken their time to get her right for a shot at the BC. A fine second in the FG Oaks over this trip she may need the run but gets the coveted two gate here so that goes some way to help. It would be a great training performance to get her to win here but she certainly has the ability to do so.
3 Real Nice Allinthegate Desormeaux K J
Ignoring her last start, when for some reason she decided to go against her running style and make the running, she was clocking up a genuine record. She was on a streak of four in a row when taking the Fantasy and the Santa Ysabel Stakes and went to the KY Oaks a strong fancy. Drawn well she went back and got a little lost in traffic before belting home to be beaten just a length. Her last start and subsequent works have been a little off so today could be the acid test as to whether she is back to her stakes winning form.
4 Obvious Deception Nakamura Stables Franco G
After two good wins she ran an odd race in the Fleur De Lis Handicap going back from a good gate and then just running on for eighth late. That race was made to look all the more odd when she came out to power home in the grade one Hirsch last time winning by a neck in a super performance. She can obviously throw the odd clunker and that worries me but a repeat of that last run would see her very close today.
5 Pure Addiction TwinTowersRacing Tunon M
A nearly 1.38 dirt mile work slower than a lot of two year olds is not exactly encouraging but this filly has shown enough that that work shouldn’t be taken too seriously. A brilliant second in the grade one Personal Ensign last time when beaten just a head would put her right in this and apart from a bad run in the mud the time before she has shown some great improvement this year. This trainer knows how to get the best on race day out of their horses and you shouldn’t write this one off.
6 Zombie Storm La Canada Racehorses Bejarano R
A consistent sort this year she has run pretty well in lesser grade but a recent 1.36 and 3 work suggests she has started to improve. She could be a surprise package.
7 Camp Hollywood Smokey Stover Velazquez J R
Beaten just a neck in the Hirsch by Obvious Deception she wont have to find much to turn the tables with that filly today. Bought from John Henry for $600 she went on to win the ONT Matron in her first start for the new owner before that excellent effort in the Hirsch. Smokey Stover has one of the best stakes records of the season so this one must go into the hopper with a chance.
8 Keymadge Mb Stables Davis D
A three year old with just two wins and seven starts shouldn’t be bothering the likes of this field but her last two starts certainly suggest that she can. Second in the DEL Oaks before being bought by Mb Stables she then came out for a huge effort in the grade one Alabama when beaten just a nose. Her works aren’t as strong as some but with the Sheik of HRP at the helm and that last effort she could easily win her third race here and stroll into the BC.
9 Wolfslayer Maxmillion Farm Centeno D E
Won the Apple Blossom Handicap off bottom weight back in April but has struggled a little since. She has had a bit of a break and comes here fresh so may find this race with this draw just a little tough for her.
11 Fabulous Angelina Allinthegate Wilson E J
Hates wet ground and has had two forgettable performances on an off track this year but has won the Royal Delta and was a close third behind Camp Hollywood in the ONT Matron so clearly has enough ability to get into the finish. The draw makes it very tough but if she doesn’t get too far back early on she may be finishing well enough of given the chance by the traffic.
12 Winegum Wishes Crocker Ggs Beschizza A
She looked really good when winning the GP Oaks in March but flunked in the KY Oaks from a wide draw and has only had the one run since. If she manages to find a way round the field i rather like her to be a value bet as she is one of the better working three year olds.
13 Gravel And Wine Iolaus Racing Van Dyke D
Gets the Kiwi draw with this improving three year old and is up against it. She has found some improvement this year and whilst this is a big jump in class she is working well enough to get involved if things go her way. Her early speed may see the race engine throw her into the lead and who knows if there is no pressure she may take some catching.
SUMMARY
It is interesting here because the three year olds have the form but their works haven’t progressed at the same pace as they did last year and the older horses may just have the edge with just a three pound weight advantage. Fair On Friday may just be my choice here and may be rewarding odds, i just think she looks ready to run a big race. Of the others i think Camp Hollywood is a good chance and maybe a little each way on Winegum Wishes.
Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES
