Latonia Stakes ($100.000 Purse)
TP- For Fillies and Mares Four Years Old and Upward
One Mile on the Dirt
March 14, 2020

The Latonia Stakes is a smaller ungraded stake, and it will only have a field of four going to the gate. It has only been run sporadically in the game since its inception in 2006, but this is the first time that the purse will be in the triple digits, so at least it is trending in the right way. Last year, Up and Up Racing was the winning trainer, doing so with Baratita, a still active six year old mare that has not raced or had a public work since July. 2017 winner Eviction is likely the most notable past winner. Let’s meet the field!

#1- Minnesotalus (The Sidley Stud, ridden by I Ortiz Jr)- One of two that the trainer brings to the gate, and she is the highest earner of anyone in here. She had a run of graded activity within 2018, and while she doesn’t see that much anymore, she continued to run in ungraded stakes, much like she sees here. Most of that is on the grass though, and this is her first dirt race since July 2017. Makes me think the trainer is looking more towards his other entry here.

#2- Orange Beach (Mb Stables, ridden by G Saez)- A winner of four of twelve, and has hit the board in eight of those races. The vast majority of those are in overnights, but at times we have seen her attempt a higher paying race like this. None of those have seen her finish in the winners circle, but after a four length victory in an optional claimer at GG, she’ll get a chance at a stake again and seems well spotted here.

#3- The Real Jess (Asgar, ridden by K J Desormeaux)- This is not a horse that you can count on to win, as she has only done that once in 17 starts, but hitting the board is a much different story, has she has done that in 11 races. She’s run mostly in claimers, mostly in sprints, and mostly on grass. Therefore, you can’t say Asgar isn’t trying to change things up to try and get her that second win!

#4- Speedy Ginger (The Sidley Stud, ridden by C J Lanerie)- In the middle of last year, the Ginger Haggis filly ran off four wins in a row, and that sent her into graded competition. A coupe of thirds saw her have some good momentum, but that seemed to fizzle out. She has now had a couple months to think about it and hopes to start the year strong.

Prediction: 2-4-3-1

— NS

Categories: STAKES ARTICLES, Ungraded