Having already won four straight victories entering this Grade I event, Maxmillion Farm’s Angel Shark will be looking to swallow up the competition here on Saturday in this opening act for the larger party called the Pacific Classic.
- DMR Oaks – Grade I , Purse $300.000
- Del Mar Racetrack – For Fillies Three Years old.
- A Mile and a Eighth – Turf Course
- August 17th, 2019
Three year old Angel Shark has been slowly gaining more and more fans with her winning style of running. Her most recent achievement was winning the Gr. II San Clemente Stakes at this very oval. That came with rider Franco in the saddle, and he returns to join his partner for this event. Will five be their lucky number? See me at 19:22 and hopefully I will be able to answer that very question. Here’s this years field of runners;
Weights– 122
Changes- 6 Illustrious Cat– Adds Bute
10 Emotionless– Drops in to the 9 post
Scratched- Warmed Up ( Mb Stables )
1 Antivenom ( Fractious ) – Is coming off back to back victories. First she took home an Alw87 affair which she only had to carry 114 pounds on her back, then returned to capture the $75.000 Open Mind Stakes at Monmouth. Velazquez is taking over the handling duties here and he is firing at 28% from the inside post, so that should help for this event. Six for 8 on the grass in the money, so could share the wealth here.
BC Fillies & Mares Turf pts.- 2
2 Trippi Tip Toe ( Estero Farms ) – After a runner-up finish in the Gr. III FL Oaks, trainer decided to shorten her up and she took home the $100 Sidney Stakes over a soft Churchill turf. Her two most recent were mile and an eighth, and she would miss by a head in the Gr. III Honeymoon Stakes, then attack the challenging Gr. I Diana, placing third by a length after leading for a spell. Maldonado has been called up by John Henry, so Gutierrez takes over. Still on the upswing, so can find a share is she doesn’t fade late.
BC Fillies & Mares Turf Pts.- 8
3 Diluted ( Mb Stables )- After a reasonable effort in the Gr. II Nassau up at WO, this filly met with disaster in the Gr. I BEL Oaks when after leading for the opening mile, she would place tenth at the wire, four lengths back. Trainers new love affair as far as jockeys go is that of Bejarano, and he was able to guide this bay filly to a victory in the Gr. III Sweetest Chant event with her previous trainer. Still looking to prove herself, and this trainer is hoping this combo works here. In or out?
BC Fillies & Mares Turf Pts. – 10
4 Na Pali ( Smokey Stover )- Best among this group as far as F&M Turf points sitting in fourth place with a total of fifteen. Added blinkers two starts ago in the Gr. III Regret and while she was stalking throughout, she didn’t seem to have the response her trainer was looking for in the late stages. The equipment was removed for the Gr. I Diana, and the black filly showed a late kick to bring home the gold. Has earned over $1,200.000 in her career so far, tops in that category as well, so does get the nod for top spot here.
BC Fillies & Mares Turf Pts.- 15
5 Angel Shark ( Maxmillion Farm ) – If you follow this one’s bloodline back on her dams side to HRP-Quest For Fame you will find that turf and the mile distance is what that bloodline is known for, and this bay filly is not a disappointment in the least. Has gone four straight in six starts this season with a narrow miss to almost making it five. Her only falter was when blinkers were removed and she didn’t maintain her focus. Trust me, this trainer wont make that mistake twice. When you’re hot you’re hot, and this one could steal the limelight once again. Factor.
BC Fillies & Mares Turf Pts.- 10
6 Illustrious Cat ( Chili King Stables )- Just like Diluted who is entered here, this chestnut filly competed in the Nassau and the BEL Oaks prior to competing in this race. Was able to capture the Nassau by a length up at WO, but the inner turf at Belmont was not to her liking as she would place eighth in that event, three lengths shy. May have waited a bit too long in that ten panel event, and should find herself a tad closer her. This is Garcia’s fourth go on her back, so he will be well aware of what needs to be done. Upsetter.
BC Fillies & Mares Turf Pts.- 7
7 Laffer ( Our Athletes )- Another back to back winner bringing his winning style to this event. Captured an Alw87 affair at Churchill two starts ago, then followed that up taking home the ELP Turf Stakes winning by three quarters of a length in that race as well. Jockey Geroux is available who guided her to her Allowance win, but trainer has opted to go with Prat for this event. Breaking from post number three has been her sweet spot, so hopefully she can repeat those efforts here with lucky number seven.
BC Fillies & Mares Turf Pts.- 2
8 Chai Command ( John Henry )- Definitely has some strong breeding on both sides of the fence with this black filly. Is coming off a victory in the $75.000 Blue Sparkler Stakes at MTH. Has tested the waters amongst Graded company as well this season with her best effort coming in the Gr. III Senorita Stakes at SA where she placed second to one who has been struggling to find the mark again. The recent win was a sprint affair, so hopefully that will get her motivated again. Distance could be a challenge.
BC Fillies & Mares Turf Pts.- 2
10 Emotionless ( Team 7 Illusions )- There isn’t a day that doesn’t go by when the words Team 7 and Cherokee Sunset are not mentioned in the same breath. This gray filly from that sire is looking to keep the flame alive with another victory here. Is coming off a fourth place finish behind others here in the Gr. I Diana after she took home the trophy in the Ginger Punch, a three horse field event. Will be her first time carrying this weight since her maiden win, but she handled it then, she should be able to handle it again. In tough with others as she shifts into the nine hole.
BC Fillies & Mares Turf Pts.-2
Duffer’s Picks 4-5-2-6
Categories: STAKES ARTICLES
