December 15, 2015

There really were only two options in the Grade I Starlet at LA on Saturday afternoon and if you looked past the tired Wicked Heat, coming off two huge 1 1/16 mile efforts in the Chandelier and BC Juvenile Fillies, you could have found your winner in Jewel In The Sand, improving off a maiden win and well-meant for owner Mb Stables. Sire Copper Bottom has already produced two juvenile stakes winners this year and now, has a third as well as a legitimate contender for the SA Oaks and other big races, especially state-bred events where the purses are big and the competition is usually suspect.

As expected, Wicked Heat (*0.35) took up the early running in the Starlet from her outside stall but was tracked into the first turn by close second choice Jewel In The Sand (2.15), as the two choices squared off right away. Little Kruz (30.55) came with a rush outside as the field remained bunched and was clear on the lead through the first split in a very slow 25.01, and down to the rail before heading into the backstretch. Wicked Heat fell back to third in the middle stages as Jewel In The Sand came up the rail and through a half-mile in 49.13, those three has separated themselves with Little Kruz still leading comfortably by a length and a half. The field rocketed around the tight turn with three-furlongs to go and Wicked Heat looked to have all the momentum on the outside and with six-furlongs up in 1:12.59, Little Kruz was the first to throw in the towel after a grueling run up front. A furlong from the wire, Jewel In The Sand was battling between rivals with her seasoned rival breathing outside and the backfield trying to close and Little Kruz faded from contention, it was left to the two favourites with the inside being the place to be with Jewel In The Sand a nose the best. Wicked Heat battled hard but could not overtake her rival in second while Little Kruz tired but still held a clear third from Risk Taker (12.25), Track Star (57.10) and Blazin Bia (69.90), who never really got involved and wound up in those positions the entire time.

Jewel In The Sand is one of those fillies who has found herself as the year has gone on and and after breaking her maiden in style with a big run at CD, she can now call herself a Grade I winner with a rousing score in the Starlet versus a very tough opponent in Wicked Heat. Their rivalry will most likely be renewed at SA in the coming months although the winner could ship out to FG for races like the Silverbulletday but make no mistake; these are both high-class fillies who find themselves in the KYO and that is truly an exciting prospect.

Congratulations goes out to owner Mb Stables and their two-year-old filly Jewel In The Sand, a gutsy winner of the Grade I Starlet at LA!

Prediction                  Wicked Heat / Jewel In The Sand / Little Kruz

Winner                       Jewel In The Sand

                                      Two-year-old bay filly

                                      Copper Bottom-Born Lover (Higher Love)

Owner                          Mb Stables

Time                             25.01, 49.13, 1:12.59, 1:42.31

Overall

Jewel In The Sand    2.15 even break, between rivals, held sway admirably

Wicked Heat              *0.35 wide run, raced at winner, failed to get by

Little Kruz                   30.55 inside speed, faded only late

Risk Taker                   12.25 even effort, no late rally

Track Star                    57.10 outrun throughout

Blazin Bia                    69.90 no factor

Triple T Racing 🙂

Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES