The Suwannee River – Grade III
GP   Race #6   1 1/8m   Turf   Graded Stake
Purse $150.000  For Fillies And Mares Four Years Old And Upward.

1 Plucky Elmo, trained by Hawaiian Shirt Guy
This is a pretty consistent and underrated filly who has been on the cusp of greatness for some time. Raced in dirt sprints by her previous owner she managed some good efforts over what in hindsight was completely the wrong conditions. Bought for $240.000 she was immediately set to turf routing and it was immediately obvious that this was what she was calling out for. Two good efforts were rewarded with a win in the Commonwealth Oaks and she ended her season with a  close third in the American Oaks. Her works are good enough and she has a good alley so she must be in with a great chance of some of this purse.

2 Lucky You, trained by Maxmillion Farm
This one was bought for only $180.000 despite being a dual grade one winner, Her first effort for her new trainer was OK when fifth in the Megahertz stakes but it didnt live up to her impressive wins in both the QE II Challenge Cup and The Diana, Inconsistency seems to be her biggest enemy but se has the beating of these if she brings her A game.

3 Speed Squared, trained by TwinTowersRacing
OK in overnights nothing in er form lines gives her a chance in this race though. A couple of decent works suggests she is on the improve but she will have to have improved a lot to win today.

4 Soakit In Cider, trained by Night Rider Stables
Recorded her third win in a row in the Tropical Park Oaks and has certainly shown plenty of improvement since her maiden win last October. Her works time put her in with a  good chance of a four timer but she has some experienced stakes fillies to turn over here.

5 Shadow Of Doubt, trained by Axeman
This fantastic seven year old has plenty of miles on the clock and has some super wins to her name. The 2013 BC Ladies Classic winner in a year when she won three grade ones in a  row certainly isnt the force she was but she won her only turf start last time out and may have been revitalised by the switch in surfaces. That win came in the Astra Stakes and if she can get a soft lead her class will carry her a long way into this race.

6 Street Baby, trained by Nakamura Stables
A filly with plenty of upside she was bought fr $125.000 at the end of last year and this will be her first run for the new trainer. I liked her last two starts before the sale particularly the closing fourth in The Goldikova and she is working like a superstar for her new trainer. This could definitely be the dark horse in the race and i expect a big show from her.

7 Altered Skeleton, trained by John Henry
Handed the coffin draw she is another that was bought from Australia Wide. Winner of the grade one Rodeo Drive she ran a great second in the BC Fillies and mares turf when trying to make all from a wide gate. That effort shows her value on pace and the wide speed push will almost certainly put her there. She will find it tough to hold on but she has the ability.

SUMMARY
This is a very competitive and wide open race and i am going outside the box to try to sort it out. Street baby is my choice at what should be good odds but if Lucky You puts her best foot forward she may be hard to beat.

Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES