The 10th Running of the G3 Maple Leaf Stakes
Saturday, November 12, 2022
WO Race #2 $150.000
F&M 3+ 120/123 Lbs (plus penalties) 11/4
Course Record-1:59.65 (The Windy City-2012)
Stakes Record-2:01.45 (Pretty As A Picture/Sonoma-2014)
#1 Cackle Street (The Sidley Stud/K. Kimura 123): Winner of the $135.000Summer Colony at SAR couldn’t replicate her succes in G3 try at HST last month. Filly doesn’t display anything on the work tab since September, but she should be better this time than what she showed last-out.
#2 Processing Greek (Arindel/A.A. Gallardo 123): Mare has been a very useful/productive $10.500 claim since April. She’s 4-2-0-1, including a G2 score, for the new barn. Lat two efforts dictated she drop here, but 6yo has a future whether she wins this or not.
#3 Opaque (Arindel/D. Moran 120): Sophomore lass is a stablemate to the horse drawn just to her inside so she should appreciate the company while she’s in the starting gate. Lass tasted defeat for the first time in four races, but she was only beaten a length for the top prize. She’s a legit threat to wire this group, but she’s also shown an ability to stalk-and-pounce if someone else wants the lead.
#4 Low Budget Java (Nakamura Stables/P. Husbands 120): She’s collected some nice checks, but season-opening score remains her only victory this season. She’s kept really good company, but she seems to be a bit of hit-or-miss type. Can definitely contend if she brings her “A” game.
#5 Anivia (BomBay Stables/L. Contreras 120): 4yo took the $160.000 Seneca last year, but the sledding has been tougher this season. Began this year with consecutive races at the free tracks, but her two pay races don’t offer much hope for her chances here. Now, her LRL win is also the only race she’s run on dirt this season so she may have a better effort up her sleeve here.
#6 Dauphin Island Dog (Smokey Stover/R.M. Hernandez 120): She took her first four starts for this conditioner after being purchased for $175.000 in early-February. Only passed a couple of rivals last time, but she made a strong run to get within a length of the winner. She may not be the best worker in here, but she seems to be among the most consistent with the efforts she puts forth in the afternoons.
#7 Starship Twister (TwinTowersRacing/P. Morales 123): Throw out the last two efforts on the lawn and there isn’t a lot to nit-pick about her form. Those are some strong efforts against many of this division’s best and she’s built a good bankroll despite only having a single win this year. A repeat of either G1 effort would make her tough here.
#8 Chrystal Rose (Night Rider Stables/G. Boulanger 123): 6yo mare was languishing a bit in the sprint ranks and it was nice to see her wake up in the $200.000 Plum Pretty when she got the chance to stretch her legs. She gets to go even further here and you have to figure that she will be quick enough to stay in striking range. Tough questions on the trip and class, but nothing wrong with the way she ran at monster odds last out.
Final Analysis: 3-6-7, in some combinaton, will fill-out the trifecta in the G3 Maple Leaf Stakes. Good luck everyone!
Categories: STAKES ARTICLES
