Santa Maria Stakes – Grade II
SA Race #3 1 1/16m Dirt Graded Stake
Purse $200.00 For Fillies And Mares Four Years Old And Upward.
1 Harsh Mb Stables Van Dyke D
A winner of 6 from 19 this four year old has been much improved after a failed attempt at this sort of level as a three year old. Runner up in the Royal Delta second up she won the Doubledogdare Stakes last time in the mud by a comfortable length. This is another step up for her today but with a short field and a good gate she stands every chance of a win.
2 Sneaky Opus Joshua Stables Smith M E
Just bought for $150.000 her new trainer is looking for a quick return. She is one from one in dirt routes so clearly there has been thought put into this first appearance and she gets an ideal opportunity in a small field to make her presence felt. With only seven starts there is room for improvement and it will be interesting to see how she goes.
3 Honey Dew Maxmillion Farm Talamo J
She is certainly the highest tried filly in the field and she has put in a few good runs making her a good prospect in this sort of race. She tried to make all but weakened into fourth in the La Troienne last time but that was at grade one level so she steps back down to a better grade today. Her win in the La Canada Stakes at the start of the year was promising and she looks to be right in this very even 4 runner race.
4 Stellar Wind Simmer Down Stable Desormeaux K J
This prolific winner had been mopping up lower level races last year winning 5 of her previous 6 but after being claimed in her first start of the year has proved how little there is between an allowance at TP and a grade two stakes by getting beaten a length in the Santa Margerita last time out. Drawn outside in a small field doesnt mean the race engine doesnt spit you into the lead only to see you weaken at the end so her trainer will have to address that to give her a winning chance.
SUMMARY
If the race engine lets her then Stellar Wind could be the answer in a race where any of the four could easily win.
Categories: STAKES ARTICLES
