Yellow Ribbon Handicap – GII

1 1/16 Mile Turf Stake Purse $200.00 Filly & Mare 3 Year Olds And Up.

1st        Jury Pool           John Henry                     Bravo J                              1:39.84

Well, this one went to the horse with no stakes form that only broke her maiden at the start of the year. The key here was she is one of those improving five-year-olds that we see so often and she continued that improvement to a level you wouldn’t have imagined as a seven-race maiden when a four-year-old. Patience in this game demonstrated once again as a key factor and a good pick up from the Team 7 slim down by the trainer who managed to secure this mare for only $24.

It was good to see the closer get her timing right again, it doesn’t happen with much consistency on this engine but she managed to quicken off just an average pace which was encouraging for the new owner.

2nd       Ginger Gem    The Sidley Stud            Espinoza V                      1:39.87

It looked like stakes winning three-year-old had done everything right, stalking an average pace but in the end, she just got pipped by the closer. She has looked a bit vulnerable over this trip before but as a three-year-old she has plenty of time to grow and strengthen into this trip. Bearing in mind she was giving weight to the winner when in a non-handicap she could’ve been getting several pounds        this was a big performance and only inches short of being a great one.

3rd        Rusti                   Maxmillion Farm         Maldonado E                1:39.92

With just a fair pace and a wide gate I was surprised not to see her push forward but instead she settled into a lose stalk, keeping the first two in her sights. She got close but was just a bit one paced down the stretch.

4th        Grand Design                Bigchief Stables           Kimura K                          1:39.94

Got a nice lead with the wide gate speed push and wasn’t really pushed so I was surprised when she gave way so easily. The pace was good but not crazy but she couldn’t find enough as her lead was gradually reduced.

Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES