The 4th Running of The Tepin
Saturday, July 1, 2023
CD Race #9 $225.000
3YO Fillies 122 Lbs (plus penalties) 1-Mile (T)
#1 Telling It All (Nakamura Stables/J. Loveberry 122): Lass started her ’23 with a learning experience against winners for the first time before winning two straight. The second of those wins came going a longer trip at TAM, but it was on the lawn. Tried, unsuccessfully, to repeat that success at PIM where she faded after setting the pace in a $100.000 stake. Draws the rail here, and has the speed to take advantage, but others have had a bit more success at this level.
#2 One Night (Smokey Stover/A. Beschizza 122): MSP filly has beaten winners twice, and she ran well in her last start locally when she was runner-up in a G2. She has shown equally effective pressing the pace and sitting a bit further back, and she’s drawn advantageously to employ either tactic here. She’s been knocking on the door recently and this may be her time to seal the deal and get some black type on her resume
#3 Golden Glows (Night Rider Stables/T. Gaffalione 122): She’s made a nice transition from 2-to-3 as she has run three competitive races against winners this year. She hasn’t beaten winners, yet, but she has been in against progressively better competition. Appears to be in need of a pace battle out front; however, she seems to be an honest sort that always makes a run late. The jockey switch is a reason for optimism.
#4 Align (Mb Stables/L. Saez 122): Lass won back-to-back starts with an MSW tally in her juvenile finale before starting her sophomore season with a similar front-running score in her first start facing winners. Been tougher sledding in three subsequent starts, but the last two have seen her tackle graded company. Takes a step down the class ladder here which may aid her chances. She needs to find her early foot so she doesn’t leave herself too much to do late.
#5 Sparks (Pan Farms/J.R. Velazquez 122): Gal has only made one start on the lawn, but it was, perhaps, her best race yet. She was runner-up in that $200.000 CA-bred stake at this same trip before taking her talents to the KYO trail. She’s never run a poor race, and you have to feel positive about her getting back on the lawn. She should be able to sit just off the pace and only needs to find that last bit of courage to get the job done.
#6 Pelucha (Avenue Z/F. Geroux 124): Filly beat the rail horse last time, but she’ll have to concede two pounds on the scale for that tally. She’s no stranger to this trip as this will be the sixth time in her last seven starts, she’s gone a mile on the lawn. Faces a decision from out here as she’s shown a propensity to get involved early. That shouldn’t leave her with much traffic; however, she could find herself caught wide if she doesn’t clear. Deserves respect as the only stakes-winner in the group, but this will be a challenge.
Final Analysis: Only a half-dozen are in the gate, but the majority of these seem poised to take this next step in their progression. We’ll play it 2-4-5 in this 4th running of The Tepin at CD. Good luck to all involved!
Categories: STAKES ARTICLES
