Mabee Stakes (Grade 2)- $200.000 Purse
DMR- For Fillies and Mares Three Years Old and Upward
One Mile and One Eighth on the Turf
August 31, 2019

The Mabee Stakes is a long running race that goes back all the way to 2003 within our game, when it was a Grade 1. The purse was higher in those days as well, and saw Australia Wide be pretty dominant early on. In 2010, when the purse was decreased to $250.000, it was downgraded in class to a Grade 2, where it presently is. The purse took another hit, this time in 2016, to its current level of $200.000. There is no shortage of talent in this race, however, as our field of eight should provide an entertaining race. Let’s look at the field!

#1- The Richmond Slayer (Eastern Equine, ridden by I Ortiz Jr)- This filly has been very successful in allowances and optional claimers, winning five of her last seven starts. Eastern Equine has tried to run her in stakes, and did get rewarded with a win in the $60.000 Andromeda at GP in January, but a graded debut with very similar conditions at the same track, the Grade 3 Herecomesthebride saw her only finish sixth. She’s gone back to winning in overnights, and now looks to take another crack at this level.

#2- By Far Ideal (Maxmillion Farm, ridden by S X Bridgmohan)- As a three year old, this By Far filly won four of eight, including a Grade 3 win. So far this year, her starts have been limited to four, and she has won one of them. It was a pretty good one to win, though, as it came in the Grade 1 Gamely, going wire to wire over Memorial Day weekend. Now, over Labor Day weekend, we’ll see if the plan is the same. A couple other starts this year have been head scratchers, so despite appearing to be one of the favorites, she is also one I would not trust too much.

#3- Blondewithhandcuffs (Mb Stables, ridden by V Espinoza)- It will be the second career graded stake for this filly, as perhaps her attempt at the Grade 2 Davona Dale was just a little too soon. That race was also the last time she was on the main track, and she has adapted to the turf pretty well with Mb Stables scaling her back a bit in ungraded stakes for a few starts. She won the $85.000 Osunitas Stakes in her last start, where she was also the only three year old in the field. Now, like The Richmond Slayer, Blondewithhandcuffs makes her graded debut. Those two names would make a good exacta.

#4- Keep The Treasure (Mb Stables, ridden by J Alvarado)- The second of two entries for Mb Stables in the field, Keep The Treasure has had a great summer so far. She seemed to have been elevated quickly from the allowance level, but that did not stop her, as she ran third in the Grade 1 BEL Oaks, and then may have finished off the board, but was within a length and fifth at the $750.000 SAR Oaks at the start of the month. Those two races will prepare her well for this race, and she should be one of the top choices here.

#5- Infrastructure (Our Athletes, ridden by F Geroux)- The four year old filly has won her last two starts, which includes the Grade 3 Wilshire at SA two months ago. She had success last year as well, winning the Grade 2 Appalachian, so we know she can get it done. This year, she has not always been given the chance to run at the higher levels in stakes, but has been very productive, for the most part. The one subpar start was the Grade 3 Appleton and that probably derailed her from running in better most of this year. Glad to see her back and while she is not the favorite in here, her ability to win, in 7 of 18, makes her a definite threat.

#6- Woman On A Mission (Estero Farms, ridden by D E Centeno)- Picked up three months ago in private sales from Greeko Holdem for $110.000 and has made just one start in Estero silks. That came two months ago in the Grade 3 Eatontown Stakes, where she ran third. Over her 23 career starts, she has shown the ability to earn a check in ungraded stakes quite well. Lately, she has been knocking on the door of a graded win, with a recent second in the Grade 2 Royal Heroine, to Alligator. She’s going to get there eventually, it seems, and Estero will have her ready to roll.

#7- Grand Dragonville (Smokey Stover, ridden by N Arroyo Jr)- At the start of the month, she found herself at SAR, winning the twelve furlong Waya, a Grade 3. In that race, she was near th front the whole race long, and put forth an impressive effort throughout. The runner up in last year’s BC Juvenile Fillies turf responds well regardless of the distance. Naturally, you also have to like the fact that she gets the weight allowance of four pounds in this field. Works are strong, and I think she is the most reliable horse in this field. Overall, I think several are evenly matched, but if I feel I can depend on one the most, it’s Grand Dragonville.

#8- Conviction (Team 7 Illusions, ridden by J Talamo)- Coming off a big win, also at SAR but in a bigger race then Grand Dragonville, the $750.000 SAR Oaks. Credit should be given to Team 7 Illusions for his work with this filly after picking her up in a $30.000 maiden claimer. She’s two-for-three since the claim, also winning the Grade 3 Regret. One big reason for this improvement seems to be the removal of the shadow roll, and that will continue here. Also, she is three, so that is of benefit too.

Prediction: 7-8-4-5

— NS

Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES