8/22/2020
7 DMR Pines Stakes (GIII)
$100.000 3yoF 1m Dirt 122lbs +penalties
Sophomore fillies will be headed to the gate for the Pines Stakes (GIII) at DMR on Saturday afternoon. It’s a nice field with some horses that have a proven record and a few that seem to be improving this early in their development.
I’m going to give Beldame the slight nod here today, off of that nice third in the Mother Goose (GII) and then a win vs. NY-bred stakes horses. I think she is the most consistent with runs against this type of competition, and that will be enough for me. Chill Out is another that has a recent graded win, in the Selene (GIII) and has been second in her last pair vs. graded horses, as well. She comes from the Mb Stables list of winners, and we all know how that goes.
Here’s The Field –
Not a bad run at PRM when she was runner-up in a nice stakes there, but she’s still looking for her first win of the 2020 season and her second over all. She has four seconds from eight starts, and I’m guessing the connections would be happy with the same here.
Her only bad recent race was in the Acorn (GI) facing perhaps the best of her generation. Bounced back over this surface last out taking down Cal-bred stakes foes at the tune of 51/1 odds. That was ridiculous in my eye as she was third in the PA Oaks which was a good field. This is another step up but she does seem to like the track.
Another with seconditis this year, showing four runner-up efforts from seven races and only a single win. That win came in the Selene (GIII) and she was second in her last two vs. graded horses, so I’d give her a big look here today as this could be the spot to get her picture taken.
Different horse, same story… no wins, but a second in the Black Eyed Susan (GII) to get a decent payday. Fourth last out in the DEL Oak (GIII) but she tired that afternoon, only beating one foe. She’s going to have to turn it around here… and a repeat of that PIM race would be nice.
Back to back wins, breaking maiden in a big way and then another win on a wet surface vs. Alw foes, both against PA-bred horses. She sold prior to this and the new connections go right after black-type money. I guess we see what she is made here today.
Two wins from her last three and the other was a third place finish in the Mother Goose (GII), so she is certainly on top of her game right now. She has been on the board in five of seven starts, and also won in the mud so she cas speed, staying ability… I like her.
Has a couple of big wins this year taking down both the Ashland (GI) at KEE and the KY Oaks (GI) at CD. She was fifth in the Acorn (GI) and the same in the CCA Oaks (GI), so she needs to snap back a bit here today.
Looked good taking down a NJ-bred stakes field at MTH in the Smart N Classy, giving her a second win from eight starts. She looks like a filly that is still improving with every start, and she certainly seemed to like the move from grass to dirt. Can she get it done here?
Still a maiden and drew the outside post, which certainly won’t make it any easier. She has been close in her last three starts, showing a third and a pair of runner-up efforts. Still, this is high cotton, so she best pack her lunch if she wants to be part of this one.
Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES
