Solana Beach Stakes
DMR   Race #6   1m   Turf   Stake
Purse $150.000  For Fillies And Mares Three Years Old And Upward Foaled In CA

1 Grand Finale, trained by Night Mare Racing
Three year olds certainly dont have to have the best form in a race to beat their elders these days, and this is just the type that could win this race despite pretty ordinary form. Two good wins at the start of the year have been followed up with 4 solid efforts in good grade, including a decent third in the Providencia Stakes.

2 Lara Croft, trained by A and I Stables
A nice sort which is still effective at overnight grade. She looked to struggle a little over longer trips, but is back to her favourite distance today and will give her all as usual.

3 Wisconsin Laff, trained bt Blushing Meadows
Ran well in some early season stakes races, but her trainer has kept her back in grade since due to the four year old record against three year olds in stakes races. She has run a couple of decent races in overnights, notably when taking a  CD Allowance two back. Sure to be right there, but may struggle to beat the three year olds.

4 Opinionated, trained by Mb Stables
Has been doing well enough in lesser races, and is working nicely enough to put her in with a chance here. I am not sure she is the best three year old, so may not win today, but the trainer is a master of placement, so it wouldnt surprise me.

5 La Gran Senora, trained by Rockitpad
A progressive three year old who has yet to venture into black type, but has won her last three races. She is working well enough to beat the older horses, and should get into the frame.

6 Fooled Ya, trained by Mm Racing
Another three year old who has yet to venture into this class, she has a similar chance to La Gran Senora on form. Her allowance win last time was very good, but with limited turf form, it is tough to accurately rate her.

7 Phooey Brianna, trained by Australia Wide
Like the other older horses in the race, her form is superior to the three year olds, and so are her work times. She would have to be five lengths better to beat them, and she isnt far off that, so she is entitled to go close as the fastest worker in the field.

SUMMARY
As usual with fast development, there isn’t much between a two year old and a six year old, and the weight allowance is usually enough to make the difference. That is certainly the case here as the three year olds with the sub-standard form should once again dominate. So which three year old is going to win? Maybe Opinionated from La Gran Senora with Phooey Briana and Wisconsin Laff pushing them all the way for the older division.

Categories: STAKES ARTICLES, Ungraded