4/24/21

  9   SA   Santa Margarita (GIII)

    $200.000     4yo&Up F&M      1 1/8m  Dirt      123 pounds +penalties

Out to Arcadia and we get a nice field of seven matrons for the Santa Margarita (GIII) a mile and an eighth classic event on the main track.  It appears to be an evenly matched group and I landed on Precise Performance as my top choice.  She comes from the Mb Stables barn and seems to always be around when the hand out checks.  Two runner-up efforts this season and she looks primed to get her first win of the year.  Zombie Storm is another that warrants serious consideration and she has won two of her last three, coming into today.  She’s usually around when facing graded foes, so give her a look from the rail position.  Pocono Fashion will get my third spot, already winning the Bayakoa (GIII) in her three ’21 starts.  She will run a bad race on occasion, but I think she will big a factor here. 

Here’s The Field –    

She’s won two in a row and takes a step up in class off of those starts, but she’s been competitive in graded races and no reason to think she won’t be a big factor in this one.  The rail position is another positive so keep her in your handicapping favorites.

Back to back runner-up starts after winning the BC Distaff (GI) last year.  She’s a hard running filly and I think she deserves top billing in this one.  If she runs to her norm, she will be very tough to look past.  She’s got my attention.

Her recent form leaves a bit to be desired, showing two fifths and a last of nine, so she needs to turn it around in a big way or she could be in for a tough day.  Her best could put her in the picture, but she is certainly going to need it.

She has a maiden win and didn’t show much in her last two, so it’s certainly a big chore for her to get anything here today.  This is a sharp barn, and they usually don’t run for nothing, so maybe I’m missing something, but I’ll look at some others.

She won the Bayakoa (GIII) at OP and was third on BC Day, so she certainly has the ability to run with any type of competition.  She tired over this surface in the Beholder (GI) so she needs to bounce back. 

Three wins last year and looks for her first win of the ’21 season after a fourth and a sixth vs. graded company.  Her best would certainly put her in the middle of things, but that tiring effort at OP leaves me wondering. 

Back to back wins coming into this, both against softer, so there are ups and downs with her.  She’s won eight lifetime starts, so she’s no stranger to getting her picture taken.  The Green Card loves her, so perhaps she can win at a decent price. 

COZMAN  2 / 1 / 5            Willie’s Green Card     7 / 2 / 1

Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES