CD Distaff Turf Mile – Grade II
CD Race #7 1m Turf Graded Stake
Purse $500.000 For Fillies And Mares Four Years Old And Upward.

1     Phoe Eva      Angelos Stable      Lopez P

This six year old has come back this season as a six year old and seems better than ever with two stakes wins already. I think at this time of year the older horses have an advantage over the three and four year olds so we may see this peak pass but i think this one is still flying a bit under the radar and may be ready to make it three in a row today. A specialist turf miler the biggest problem i can see for her is that she tends to drop back in her races and this one draw may be a disadvantage if she gets buried. Having said that there have been plenty of times a closer has stuck to the rail and it has opened up down the stretch because horses only ever drift out at HRP so with only seven runners that may not be a factor.

2    School Of Thought        TwinTowersRacing      Davis D

This stable has some nice fillies and mares this year and this one who may not look up to the best of these on paper may be ready to get swept up in the wave of success. She won a HOU allowance in 1.33 flat so we know she can run this mile fast enough the question will be does she have a high enough class rating to win. The draw, the trainer and an in form jockey say she may just be the dark horse in the race.

3     Lipsticker     Our Athlete       s Saez L

She gets her chance with a decent draw today but there are a few things here that put me off. Firstly as a four year old she has to run levels with horses that will have that bit more maturity at this time of year and secondly she just doesn’t look good enough on a dry track. HOWEVER, should the rains come and many are predicting they will, she is a very different prospect. She made all for a very easy win in the Sand Springs on an off track last time and her previous off track form certainly points her best chance in that direction.

4      Ete Creek       Fractious      Jaramillo E

She hit a nice vein of form last year when taking the First lady and then running a strong fourth in the BC Fillies and Mares Turf but she is definatley a bit inconsistent and she will need to recover that form to have a chance today. Her two runs this year have been a bit lack luster but after being sold she is now in a new stable and that can sometimes give them a new lease of life. she is working well and at her best has the X Factor.

5     My Girl Makita      Smokey Stover       Gutierrez Mario

Strangely after winning the KD ladies Turf last year in a sub 1,33 winning time her trainer sent her sprinting for the rest of the year. That has resulted in just the one win so it was clearly a failed experiment and she finally gets back to the mile here where she may be ready to add to the trainers amazing record with the fillies and mares. No nailed on certainty but of she can reproduce her last run over a mile she could win this hands down.

6     Shining Moments       RNP Stables        Sanchez M J

A rather aptly named horse because her shining moments have brought her over 1K in prize money but she does have a few less bright spots to her name so we have to rely on her bringing her A game today. A record of four wins from six turf starts and three of those being high level stakes races begs the question why she has only ran the grass six times but i do feel she is one of those that can go on both surfaces. She may have to overcome a slow start from this draw, either that or the dreaded unwanted lead so the race engine will have to be kind, if it is she can win.

7      Summers Day      Maxmillion Farm       Bridgmohan S X

Last but not least the runner from the Turf King, a pretty good reason she may win but i feel there are a few too may negatives for her against this tough field. Being a four year old she has a definite disadvantage at this time of year and being drawn wide is another minus. On the plus side she is a tough consistent filly who is working strongly enough so if the turf king can work his magic she may be a chance.

SUMMARY

A really nice contest here i feel Phoe Eva has the draw and momentum to win this. It wont be easy though and it is hard to pick a runner up out of a very even field.

Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES