The Fantasy – Grade III [KYO]
OP Race #1 1 1/16m Dirt Graded Stake
Purse $400.000 For Fillies Three Years Old.
1 La Terrifiant Our Athletes Velazquez J R
The winner of last years BC Juvenile by an impressive two lengths she just hasnt fired so far this season and that caused her trainer to take an offer of $375.000 for her just a week ago. To be fair she hasn’t run badly this year she just hasnt looked as dominant as she did as a two year old. On her seasonal debut she drew wide in the Davona Dale and suffered at the hands of the race engine by being catapulted to a clear lead in a suicide split, predictably she weakened late and was well beaten. In her last start she had a much better draw in the FG Oaks and was ridden with a bit more restraint but failed to quicken ending up fifth, only beaten two lengths but never really looking like she was going to win. Her best form seems to be when she is closer to the pace early and is sent on before the stretch so another good draw today will give her that opportunity if her new owner can get the instructions right. The bigger problem may be the quick turnaround but two weeks may be enough and if she is back to her two year old form she may squeeze into the KYO.
2 Misty Firefox Crocker Ggs Albarado R J
Came with a huge late run to win the Bourbonette Oaks by a neck last time out which was by far her best performance to date. That race was run in the mud and as her best two wins have both come with rain i suspect she will need some moisture today to have a winning chance. Having said all that she has won twice in the dry and deserves a shot after that brilliant win last time out.
3 Lafansee Jive Inc. Espinoza V
The trainer that sold La Terrifant for $375.000 bought this one for $200.000, a price that was probably inflated by a sub 1.37 work back in February. She was raced a week after the sale but made no real show in the SUN Oaks and was pretty disappointing. Her previous form was OK with a good maiden win but apart from that work there is very little to go on.
4 Dame Magnifique D J C Racing Stables Ortiz I Jr
Another that ran in the sloppy Borbonette Oaks she stayed on late to be sixth four lengths behind Misty Firefox. The wet ground was no excuse as she had won an ungraded stakes the race before in the mud so the bigger issue may have been the wide draw she got in that race. Taken back which is option B from the wide draw she was along way back but no further than the eventual winner so i am not sure she can turn round that form in whatever ground conditions surface in this race.
5 Indian River Queen South Beach Racing Santana R Jr
She was behind Dame Magnifique in a muddy ungraded stakes but ran much better on a sounder surface in the Honeybee last time when finishing third just a length behind the winner. That last start was by far her best run and if it stays dry today she will almost certainly be in at the finish.
6 Millinneal Mb Stables Talamo J
She finished right upsides Indian River Queen in the Honeybee when fourth and there wont be much between them again today. Previously she had raced in good company but came up a bit short on both turf and the dirt. I am not sure she stays this trip when sent up with the pace, so if she isnt used as a rabbit, I can see her doing a bit better if ridden off the pace.
7 Confident Lass Smokey Stover Lopez P
She was third behind Dame Magnifique when third at ungraded level and then behind a few when a weak seventh in the Bourbonette Oaks. Both those runs were in the wet so there may be excuses but as she is still a maiden this may be a bridge too far for her. A recent 1.37 flat work says she has ability so a place finish isnt beyond reasonable doubt.
8 Nilakanta Blushing Meadows Bejarano R
Three runs for two wins isnt a bad record but her last win was a little allowance at TUP which she won well enough but its a long way from a few of these. She is clearly improving but this sort of grade may be a bit too soon for her.
9 Goosebumps Jive Inc. Pennington F
Jive Inc. has a lot of interest in this race and this one is probably their best hope of leaving the race with a smile on their face. Bought for $300.000 she ran a couple of weeks later and finished third in the Busher but then ran a great race in the SUN Oaks going up on the pace and only going down by a half length at the end. She is not a fast worker but she has the form on the track and if she can overcome the draw should be right in it.
10 One Hen Gdp Inc – Scratch –
11 Blue Jeans First Class Stable – Scratch –
12 Rainy Day Woman John Henry Leparoux J R
Won an allowance pretty impressively at TAM last time and ran pretty well in the Starlet the race before when seventh beaten just three lengths. Another who isnt the flashiest of workers she has won in black type company before and has some good form to her name. The wide draw certainly wont help but she has won off the front before so if the track is playing to speed and she gets a cheap lead she may run a good race.
SUMMARY
Well if ever there was a race that la Terrifant could come back to form in it is this one. She is far and away the best filly in the race and should win doing handstands but there is no doubt she has been off colour this year and i wouldnt want to risk my house on what looks an obvious result. As for the rest Goosebumps may be the best of them but a lot will depend on the weather as there are a couple of wet ground specialists in Dame Magnifique and Misty Firefox that could well be serious winning chances if the rain comes.
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