Pucker Up Stakes – Grade III
AP Race #1 1 1/8m Turf Graded Stake
Purse $150.000 For Fillies Three Years Old.

1 Buzza G Robeth Bridgmohan J V

A great claim for just five dollars she has performed well for the new stable but this is a big ask to step up to this grade on her exposed form. She ran well in her first route last time when third in a big ticket allowance but she will have to improve again to be in the finish here.

2 Prime Illusion Nakamura Stables Doyle S

Her form is primarily on dirt but she has performed on turf and her form on dirt s very good. Beaten just a length in the FG Oaks she ran fourth in the IND Oaks last time with a statebred stakes win in between. She has a great draw, the Nak factor and proven stakes form so must have a great chance if she can bring that winning form to the grass.

3 Naughtygirlsneedlove Big Jd Racing Loveberry J

Lightly raced she moved from dirt sprinting to turf routing with great effect winning a big ticket maiden over this trip on her fourth start. She has been tested since running third in the Regret and then fourth in the Lake Placid and whilst she hasn’t exactly exploded on the scene she has certainly arrived and has the right sort of form to win this.

4 Pirate Army Sccj Stables Prat F

Has taken an interesting path here flip flopping between sprints and routes and performing pretty much the same in both. She was hugely impressive last time winning the Cincinnation by seven lengths but that was a pretty poor race and that win may look better on paper than it does in stats. Her works times are pretty much as good as anything and she has looked better over the longer trips so cannot be taken lightly in an open field.

5 Goblin Judge Wood Duck Stables Gutierrez Mario

A great spot at the auction when bought for just $9 and owes nothing to her new trainer coming into this. She flew home from a horrible draw in the grade two Edgewood to be third beaten just a half length but then was a big disappointment from the perfect draw in the Honeymoon at a grade lower. She returned to her best last time when taking a big ticket allowance over this trip so as long as the right filly and the right tactics turn up today she must have a great chance on her best run.

6 Run Fitchew Night Rider Stables Valdivia J Jr

Went for the HRP hack last time by switching from dirt to turf and ran home strongly to fail by just a length in the ONT Colleen.She looked a bit one paced on the dirt so that was a better run and the wide gate may actually help her out if the race engine allows her to be taken back and the pace is better than average. A good chance of things go her way.

SUMMARY

An interesting race and very hard to find a clear choice here. I often say if all else fails go with the owner and therefore i will go for Prime Illusion to continue the stables great season. Not that she will win by far and a nose can be easily lost with a slight block so i wouldn’t be writing anything off.

Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES