4/25 Santa Margarita – Grade II
SA Race #8 1 1/8m Dirt Graded Stake
Purse $200.000 For Fillies And Mares Four Years Old And Upward.

Considering the almost impossible task older horses have beating three year olds with the weight allowances it is somewhat disappointing that this fours and up race worth $200 only drew 5 runners.
What we lack in numbers we make up with quality and even though its a disappointing turn out it is still an intriguing contest. Here’s how they line up.

1 Too Much Wisdom Mb Stables Espinoza V

Mb has given this five year old a soft start to the year after a busy season last year saw her wining the Yellow Ribbon Handicap after placing second among others in the grade one La Troienne. there’s no doubt she has far more ability than the two lower level allowances she has won this year and her works suggest she is at least as good as she was last year making her a great chance.

2 Viking Vania Delta Farms Smith M E

The winner of the BC Distaff at three and fourth last year she is a multiple graded stakes winner and must be respected whenever she runs. She started this year well enough but faltered last time out on her hated off track and its probably best to ignore that run. There’s no doubting her class and she gets the perfect draw today to push her over the 3K winning mark.

3 Nude Beach Aer Stables Velez J I

She has run well for the stable since she was bought and switched to the dirt and won the first big fillies and mares race of the year from a strong field in the HOU Ladies Classic. Since then she could only manage second at Allowance level but has worked a 1.36 and 2 dirt mile since so looks as good as ever. She has always promised to be a top mare and today could be her chance to fulfill that promise.

4 Cardi B Fractious Van Dyke D

Won the grade one Cotillion last year but got a horrible draw in the BC Distaff and actually ran much better than her tenth place finish suggests. Traditionally a deep closer the small field should help her as long as the pace doesn’t end up as a slow one.

5 Tenrikyo Smokey Stover Franco G

The KY Oaks winner last year she was second beaten a half length in the BC Distaff after winning the Beldame prior. Pretty well beaten between her KYO win and the Beldame but that tends to happen at HRP. Her seasonal debut saw her run on from a long way back to be fifth in an allowance which wasn’t that encouraging but was her first run for 5 months. At her best she can overcome the wide draw and win this.

SUMMARY

This is a lovely little race that really could go to any of them. If Tenrikyo runs her best race she should win but if there are any kinks in her armor then i can see Nude Beach and Cardi B being the dangers.

Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES