The Key Cents- $100.000 Purse
AQU- For Fillies Two Years Old Foaled in NY
Six Furlongs on the Dirt
November 22, 2015
Two year old fillies foaled in the Empire State will get a chance to get a piece of a nice purse in the second running of the Key Cents, at AQU. The race debuted on the calendar last season, and was won by Hawaiian Shirt Guy’s There She Blows. It was the third of three straight wins on the New York circuit for her. Despite showing that great amount of promise, she was never really able to take her game to the next level, but has still had a steady career for current trainer Hambletonian Stable. This year, we will have a strong field of six going to post, who have taken differing paths to get here. It has the potential to be a very entertaining race, so let’s get to meet our field.
#1- Indulgence (Night Mare Stables, ridden by J Rosario)- This Model American filly has not yet found the winners circle in her two prior starts, but her work times certainly show that she has the potential to fire off a big one. In her debut at LAD, she was second by a length. The trainer then looked to move her to the turf after that, but it did not go according to plan. She has had time to rest, and with that, there has been some gradual improvement in her work times. Since she is going back to dirt, those times are quite appealing. Indulgence will still need to show that she can bring it on race day, but her best days are certainly in front of her.
#2- Capitol Limited (Nynl Stables, ridden by J Lezcano)- For the first time, I get to write about my own horse. Certainly, she will seem like a longshot here, but do note that her most recent work was because the trainer was testing something that did not go well. She has proven to be pretty inconsistent, but I do believe that when she is on top of her game, she can have a shot to get in the money. I lost my belief that she can win when I saw Pink Candy Stripes. If nothing else, I get to see how she stacks up this company and that’s not a bad thing, I’ve written about others doing that, after all, and I am high on her when she puts forth one of her best outings.
#3- Pink Candy Stripes (Blushing Meadows, ridden by J R Velazquez)- This Rene filly is certainly looking like it is just a matter of time before she starts rolling off some graded stakes wins. For now though, the trainer brings her to the Key Cents where she will look to pick up her fourth win in five starts. Last month at RP, she was victorious in the $100.000 OK Classics Lassie, and earned her stripe with a 96 SRF. She has been able to win while being on the lead early, which is worth noting here because this race may see some pretty quick fractions. If she doesn’t want to worry about those, Pink Candy Stripes is perfectly fine being just off the lead as well.
#4- Cool Wind (Hambletonian Stable, ridden by I Ortiz Jr)- It will be the ninth start of the year for this Whirlwind filly, with the majority of those races coming with Pristine Stables. In September, Hambeltonian purchased her in the auction for $45.010, and has one win and a fourth place run (that came in the $100.000 Flower) while running in her new silks. Although her initial races were on the main track, she has spent a lot her recent time running on the turf, so it will be interesting to see how she handles going back to the dirt. Most interesting is that she seems to like to come from off the pace in a race that could see a lot of early speed.
#5- Vaguely Pink (La Canada Racehorses, ridden by J Alvarado)- The trainer is looking to take the next step forward with this Pink Panther filly, though it may prove to be a tough assignment. She has made just two starts in her career, with her victory coming in a maiden claiming event at BEL in late October. In that race, she put together a pretty good looking 88 SRF, and was particularly good in the latter stages of the races. The trainer was probably a little discouraged by the recent mile work she had following that race, so it’s back to six furlongs here. I’m not sure she can beat the two of whom are my top choices, but she may be the best of the rest.
#6- Swarley Kapai (Grimley, ridden by J J Castellano)- Earlier this month in a $50.000 claimer, Swarley Kapai wowed many people with a win from off the pace and earned an 88 SRF, a number which seems a little low. Perhaps there is good reason for that, but do note that was not a fluke any means. It was the second win in six starts for the Absolutely filly (by Swarley), which included romping two others in a SAR turf maiden race. She has taken a crack at the Grade 3 Miss Grillo at BEL, but could only beat one horse in that race. It’s good to see her back on the main track, and I am looking for her to come up big in this race.
Prediction: 3-6-5-2
— NS
Categories: STAKES ARTICLES, Ungraded
