The 19th Running of the G2 Bloom Handicap
September 26, 2021 15:35
BEL Race #8 $250.000 61/2 Furlongs
3YO+ Fillies&Mares Hcp Weights
Track Record-1:14.50 (Not Trippin Now-2021)
Stakes Record-1:15.27 (Dunderstorm-2012)
The 19th running of the $250.000 G2 Bloom Handicap will be held on Sunday at BEL. The 6.5 furlong dirt contest is for fillies and mares ages three-and-up who will carry an assigned weight between 117-122 pounds. Mb Stables has saddled three winners (2013, 2016, 2018) to lead all HRP trainers while J.R. Velazquez (2003, 2018, 2019) has ridden three winners in this event to lead the HRP jockey colony.
This year’s event features the Smokey Stover 5yo mare Tenrikyo who currently sits in 4th position on the G1 BC Filly & Mare Sprint leaderboard. While Tenrikyo should be safely in November’s field, Dancinginflorida, Unprecedented, Deeback, Grayte Catch, and Obvious Deception could all solidify/improve their positions on the big board with a big performance on Sunday. Here is the field for the 2021 G2 Bloom Handicap from BEL:
#1 Charity Jane (El Primero Rodeo/A. Bocachica 118): Won the $60.000 ALB Distaff just nine-days after being purchased for $30.000 and goes up in class for his second race for the new barn. 4yo filly has had a bit of a mixed bag for results in her graded efforts. She has a few near misses and just as many complete non-efforts. If she fires her best shot, she can contend for a piece, but it is hard to predict when that will happen.
#2 Gold Futures (TwinTowersRacing/S. Ryan 117): G2 Santa Margarita win was at nine furlongs so it is interesting that her conditioner picked this spot. Does get in as one of four at 117 pounds and draws well for this contest. 5yo mare hasn’t made very many starts in dirt sprints and the ones she has made don’t scream this is her game. Obviously talented and hails from a barn that knows what they are doing, so can’t really question anyone that lands here, but need to see one before getting on the bandwagon.
#3 Dancinginflorida (Night Rider Stables/L. Saez 118): #12 on the big board for the G1 BC F&M Sprint draws well and gets in at one of the lower weights. Yet to crack the graded puzzle, but she has been right there on numerous occasions. Appears to be one that wants to wait until making one run so she will need some pace to develop in front of her. Have to think she rates a strong chance to add to her BC point total at the very least.
#4 Unprecedented (South Beach Racing/T. Gaffalione 117): Has the same number of BC points as the horse drawn directly inside of her, but is just behind in the earnings department. Enters here after back-to-back 3rd place efforts against graded sprinters and gets in as a light weight. Will be interesting to see how Gaffalione decides to play it out of the gate as her races on paper seem to give her some different options. She doesn’t run poorly very often and would be surprised if she didn’t at least factor into the exotics on Sunday.
#5 Grayte Catch (Fractious/A. Cedillo 117): 4yo makes her third start for current connections and tough to gauge what to expect after the first two efforts. Was on the lead in a G2 in July before being 8-lengths off of the pace early in G1 Ballerina just a few weeks ago. Her eight races do show a bit of a good race/bad race pattern, so she should run better if that pattern holds. Needs a big performance to make some progress on the BC big board where she currently sits 20th.
#6 Obvious Deception (Nakamura Stables/V.R. Carrasco 117): 2020 G1 BC Distaff combatant has spent the summer in one-turn company. Took down two allowances at 7/6.5 furlongs before running a strong 3rd in the G2 Great Lady M. Last race she just missed in a NY-bred stake so hard to fault her current form or the decision to try these. Gets in at 117, so she won’t be giving any weight to anyone. Form shows an ability to run from just about anywhere so she only has to answer the class question. Board finish is not out of the question.
#7 Tenrikyo (Smokey Stover/J.R. Velazquez 122): Highweight currently sits 4th on BC big board and is all but guaranteed a spot in the gate for November. Does have to give 3-5 pounds to every runner and her last sprint attempt in May left a lot to be desired. Ran well in G3 Shuvee, but that race is sanwiched between two off the board finishes in graded routes. Still believe that she can handle these if she’s right, but can’t blame anyone who can’t forgive some of the recent results. Tough call on the likely favorite.
#8 Deeback (Mb Stables/E. Jaramillo 119): G2 Bernardo Handicap winner in her last run comes right back at the same level and distance for this. Gets three pounds from the rival on her inside, but has to give 1-2 to the rest of the field. Looks like the main speed and will be interesting to see how hard she has to run to get in front and to the rail. 4yo has only had a handful of runs this season so she should be ready to fire and she may just get to the front and improve her position. Think this is the horse to beat.
Final Analysis: 3-6-8 in a competitve renewal of the $250.000 G2 Bloom Handicap at BEL. Good luck to all involved!
Categories: STAKES ARTICLES
