Mabee Stakes – Grade II
DMR Race #10 1 1/8m Turf Graded Stake
Purse $200.000 For Fillies And Mares Three Years Old And Upward.
Three of the last four running’s of this race have been won by three year olds, but this year is a very different year and today we only see one three year old taking on four older fillies and mares. Last years winning three year old never won again after this race and has been retired but previous winners have made their presence felt in the big races and though we have a small field here we do have some girls that may make their presence felt in the BC.
Here is how they line up:
1 Maggie Greene The Sidley Stud Beschizza A
There is no doubting that this mare in the most accomplished in this field. After 45 starts and 14 wins she is fast approaching the 4K in prize money mark and has become a household name in the game. After three failed attempts in the BC Series she finally got her deserved win last year taking the BC Fillies and Mares Turf in an emotional performance that had her fans in tears. This year she has been as consistent as ever but has just lacked a little bit on last years form, however, i am pretty sure a 95% Maggie Greene is better than most so she may not have to be at her best to win this. A win today should ensure she goes back to defend her title and i for one will be hoping she can do that.
2 Too Scared To Party Smokey Stover Espinoza V
This stable loves a good filly and this is a good filly even though her works don’t correlate with her form this year. She hasn’t won this year which is a worry as good three year old form can sometimes tail off at four but she has been running well enough to suggest she hasn’t hit a big decline and she will no doubt be right in this at the finish. She ran from this gate to finish second in the grade one Beverly D last time but she was a beaten favorite that day so clearly questions still have to be answered. Like Maggie Greene she is on a quick turn round today and that may be because this race looked like it was going to be light because of other big fillies and mares race around in the next week.
3 Taco Impact Maxmillion Farm Garcia Mar
The only three year old in the field which may have been more significant in previous years but the Turf King knows how to win on the grass. On the lead in her last three she failed to get home in the RGD and the San Clemente but ran well enough to suggest there is ability there. I wonder if the trainer will try and get her to settle a little further back today in what may be a tactical race, a better chance than she looks to have on paper.
4 Delinquent Assembly Nakamura Stables Pyfer J
Favorite for her last four starts she has won two of them including the Eatontown but failed last time in the Yellow Ribbon Handicap when she was left in the lead and didn’t seem to like it much. Tactics will play a huge part in this race and whoever gets it right may be the winner but this one certainly looks to be a rapidly improving late developer.
5 Blondewithhandcuffs Mb Stables Gonzalez Ru
When she ran second in this race in 2019 she looked to be an improving prospect but after a couple of more attempts at that grade her trainer brought her back to easier grade and tried her over a few different surfaces and trips. The fact that this one is still in the stable suggests the trainer has some belief in her ability even though she has been running at the likes of LAD and TUP and the key to this race will be whether they feel confident she is improving again. Of course she may just be here because it was a short field, so you have to take your pick as to which one you think it is.
SUMMARY
A good little contest even though there are only five runners. The obvious choice is the great Maggie Greene but this race will rely heavily on the best tactics and there may be better value in the three year old from the Turf King’s stable. Good luck to all.
Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES
