The 20th Running of the G2 CD Distaff Turf Mile
Saturday, May 6, 2023
CD Race #8 $500.000
F&M 4+ 122 Lbs 1-Mile (Turf)
Course Record-1:32.06 (Bluegrass Cat-2011)
Stakes Record-1:32.74 (La Terrifiant-2021)
#1 Ma Petite Penne (Night Mare Racing/L. Saez): Lass started 2023 a maiden but she’s 3-for-3 this season with a stake’s win to boot. All of that winning has come on the front-end as she hasn’t been headed at any point in any of those three races. Draws the perfect post to utilize those tactics in her first graded attempt; however, this will easily be the best group she’s had to stare down. Don’t think she’ll be too hard to find when they spring the gates.
#2 Toxins (London Racing/F. Prat): Filly started her season at HOU where she made all before fading late over a yielding course. She improved off of that 3rd-placed effort to return a winner when last we saw her at SA where she bested 3NX runners. Has three previous graded efforts on her page, and while the 10-furlong American Oaks proved too far, the other two tries proved she has the quality to compete with these types.
#3 Saddle Up (Our Athletes/L. Dettori): 5yo mare has been in fine form that started with a 3rd-placed finish a year ago right here in the G3 Modesty. Counting that one, she’s 7-for-8 ITM as she’s faced some of the best in her division. She’s beaten two allowance fields as well as the six rivals she faced last time in the $100.000 Benson Memorial. Jock from the latest retains the mount here, and she’s been within a length in two G3 tries. Needs only modest improvement to factor here.
#4 Painville (Mo Mentum Farm/M. Franco): Started a five-race winning streak back in October that concluded with back-to-back graded wins. Did all of the heavy lifting last time at KEE before finishing in a DH for 5th in a tough G1 event. Has the early foot to get herself in position and has shown the class to compete with these types on several different occasions. Has to bounce back from a defeat for the first time in six months, but there’s plenty to like about her in this spot.
#5 Always Condottieri (Maletto/El. Gonzalez): Homebred mare just shows up, runs her eyeballs out, and comes back for more. Took part in last year’s BC and looks to be getting started on another stellar campaign in ’23. Took a G3 at GP to start the season before settling for 3rd while carrying two-added pounds two back. Returned last month in a similar spot to this and bested five rivals at SA. Another that will put herself in the race, she looms a logical threat for top honors.
#6 Lorient (TwinTowersRacing/J.R. Velazquez): By far the least-experienced horse on the lawn, 4yo filly took a N1X event at HOU to get the go ahead for this assignment. It had been 11-months since her last turf try, when she couldn’t best $5.000 MCL-types at GG. She changed hands that day and again in late November when the current outfit paid $35.000 to get her. Took a crack at G1 sprinters in her first start in these silks, but has come back better as a 4yo with a runner-up and the aforementioned win.
#7 Demanding Commander (Mb Stables/P. Lopez): From somewhat of an unknown commodity, we move now to the most recent G1-victress in the field. G1 Wiley was the first start for this powerful stable after they plunked down $625.000 to secure her services, and a win here would pretty much settle her tab but don’t think they bought her for just a late spring campaign. Gets the chance to turn the tables on the January G3 winner; however, she’ll have to do it from the widest gate.
Final Analysis: There’s a ton of speed/pressing types that have signed on for this. That should set up nicely for our 3-7-2 play. Good luck to all in the G2 CD Distaff Turf Mile, and all of your races this weekend!
Categories: STAKES ARTICLES
