Buena Vista Stakes (Grade 2)- $200.000 Purse
SA- For Fillies and Mares Four Years Old and Upward
One Mile on the Turf
March 4, 2023
The 19th running of the Buena Vista takes place on Saturday at SA, and while it did not attract a large field, it did interest one of the greats of the game, La Terrifiant. She should be the favorite for the race, but there are four others here who will be looking to steal her spotlight in this Grade 2 event. The conditions of the race have remained constant through time, and the purse has been either $150.000 or $200.000 since inception. Back in the day, Storm Queen won consecutive editions of the race in 2007 and 2008 for Sccj Stables. Last year, The Freakshow was the winning trainer as Perfectly Pink hit the wire first. That now six-year-old mare is active and still running competitively but will not be here on Saturday. Let’s take a look at those who will be now!
#1- La Terrifiant (Smokey Stover, ridden by Mario Gutierrez)- About a month ago, La Terrifiant took part in the Pegasus Fillies & Mares Turf, and ended up finishing fifth to kick off her eight-year-old season. It was the first time since April that she failed to pick up any part of a purse. At this stage in her career, she has done just about everything you could ever want, and it is always a pleasure to keep seeing her out on the track. The last time she did win was six months ago in the Grade 2 Flower Bowl at SAR but would seem to be a good choice in this field. She’s been in the Buena Vista once before, running fourth in 2020.
#2- Classic Princess (Maxmillion Farm, ridden by R M Hernandez)- We saw this six-year-old mare here last month for the Grade 2 Megahertz, and she picked up the win by half a length over Omnibus in that race. It was her second win in a row, as she captured the $100.000 Blushing KD at FG the day after Christmas. Her biggest win was back in 2021, which was the Grade 1 Taylor, but she has continued to run consistently ever since then and if she is getting hot now, this princess could steal La Terrifiant’s crown.
#3- Stinky Rene (TwinTowersRacing, ridden by E Jaramillo)- Finished off her three-year-old campaign strong, placing second in the Grade 3 Ladies Marathon before winning the Grade 3 Red Carpet Handicap at DMR. This year did not start out well for her, as you could say she was stinky in the Grade 3 Endeavour Handicap at TAM. I want to be confident that result can be a throw out, as when on turf she has generally been consistent but for some reason she never got going that day, right from the gate. Important for her to bounce back with a stronger effort here.
#4- Omnibus (High Voltage, ridden by L Saez)- She ran into Classic Princess last month in the Megahertz and set the early fractions before that one got by her at the end. In such a close finish, there’s no reason to think that she can’t flip the script on her here. She’s been consistent for her career but lacks that one signature win that you can really get excited about. Her only stake win came last year in the $100.000 Osunitas at DMR. Don’t rule her out from getting that win here.
#5- Painville (Mo Mentum Farm, ridden by J R Velazquez)- Typically, horses don’t get hot once they leave Mb Stables, but Painville has won four of five since that trainer auctioned her off for $17.610. Her most recent trainer was Maletto, and they didn’t spend much time together, but he certainly made profit, selling her for $150.000 to Mo Mentum Farm. Both starts since that sale are wins, including her last race, the Grade 3 Endeavour BC at TAM. No reason to think that she can’t keep climbing in class.
Prediction: 2-1-4-5
— NS
Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES
