The Sands Point (Grade 2)- $200.000 Purse
BEL- For Fillies Three Years Old
One Mile and One Eighth on the Inner Turf
October 16, 2021

A field of six will be going to post for the 17th running of the Sands Point, a Grade 2 race for three year old fillies. This is a race that at one time saw $500.000 purses associated with it, though throughout its history, there has been a lot of fluctuation in that regard. It does represent an increase from last year, when Forty Chai won the race that was only a mile for Estero Farms. She would not win again. There was some question as to whether or not this race would fill, as there were only three nominations at the start of the week. Two of the nominations came on the final day. Perhaps we can guess who they were. Anyway, here’s the field!

#1- Casting Couch Cutie (Arindel, ridden by L Saez)- Her last race was poor, finishing dead last, and seven lengths behind the winner in the KD Ladies Turf last month. However, she lands here in a great spot to rebound from that and if she can run like she did the last time she was on this track, she may do exactly that. In July, she was third in the BEL Oaks. They haven’t been that great since, though.

#2- Millie Vanillie (Threshold, ridden by E Cancel)- Might have to wonder here if the trainer saw the small field in the closing days and decided to take a shot based on that. He’s had this horse for about a week, buying it in private sales for $5.000. Has not worked it publicly yet but the longer turf works suggest she deserves a shot to go long. My first race in trying that would not have been the Grade 2 Sands Point, but you never know. Does know how to win, with six victories in 14 starts, but none in races close to this.

#3- Buckingham Palace (Smokey Stover, ridden by M Franco)- This well bred filly has five wins in nine starts, and has hit the board in eight of them. For now, her biggest victory is the $150.000 Joy for NY breds at FL in June, where she beat three others. Did not fare well in the BEL Oaks here, but improved in the Lake Placid a month later. Still is looking for that signature win, and she seems to be in a good spot right here to get that. Worked really well in August, though has not had a public work in close to six weeks.

#4- Paris Candy (Glorify Stables, ridden by J A Vargas Jr)- We go from London to Paris in the starting gate, but this filly has not had as long of a career. In fact, this will be just the fifth start of her career. Has two wins, including her most recent, an allowance at LAD. Between her wins, she attempted the $500.000 WO Oaks and did run third, albeit finishing six lengths behind the winner. Worked very well at WO before coming down here.

#5- Juicy (D J C Racing Stables, ridden by J Lezcano)- Claimed in April for just $19.000 and made his debut for the trainer in the Grade 3 Wonder Again right here. That might have been a little too much, too soon. She did show she was stakes caliber a race later, winning $100.000 Wild Applause, also right here and that kicked off a streak of finishes where she has been in the money. Comes off a second place finish in an optional claimer, and she should be expected to have a great shot here.

#6- Lucky Insist (Rock Creek, ridden by J Alvarado)- This filly has managed three wins in fifteen starts, highlighted by the $100.000 Busanda at AQU in January. She’s been seen in several graded stakes, especially at SAR, and they go back to her days as a two year old. Cashed a fourth place check in the Grade 1 Test in August, though it was a surprise to see her dropped into an optional claimer off of that. Even more surprising, was her result. That’s going to mean a surface change, and this will be her first turf race in eleven months.

Prediction: 3-5-1-4

— NS

Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES