Vinery Madison – Grade I (P4)
KEE Race #3 7f Dirt Graded Stake
Purse $300.000 For Fillies And Mares Four Years Old And Upward.

1 Wolfslayer Maxmillion Farm Colon L H

A pretty disappointing sized field for this race but there is plenty of quality in the field and it will still take some winning. This four year old by Kingslayer was going along nicely last year running consistently in the money at overnight level but then burst onto the scene with her first graded stakes race start when getting home by a neck in the Grade one La Brea. Proving that was no fluke she was a very close third in the Santa Monica on seasonal debut and gets another chance here without having to face the three year olds. She won the La Brea from the ace draw so i expect her to run big again today.

2 Moonlight Bliss Fractious Ortiz J L

Another consistent sort however her form has been on turf so this will be an interesting switch here if it comes off. She was very good on the grass winning the Goldikova and placing at grade one level and with two placed effort this year she looks like she has trained on well enough. The trip will be fine and in my experience the difference between turf and dirt is very small at HRP so i expect her to run up to her best despite the change of surface.

3 Are We Dreamin Mb Stables Pennington F

Beaten just a nose in the BC Fillies and Mares sprint last year when second that form would normally be good enough but as always there is a big difference between being a three year old getting weight and being a four year old so its not as obvious as it looks on paper. Close up in both her races this season she has retained ability but i am not sure she has improved much. Good enough at her best.

4 Shake It Off Our Athletes Geroux F

I always like the older horses against the fours in these races and this six year old is the only one to fall into that bracket for this race. Her form tailed off a bit last year after a good start and you have to wonder about that with HRP’s rather abrupt decline in older horses. She was third in this race back in 2017 so the trip should be fine and if she can get some sparkle back into the old legs she will be a danger.

5 Enoughs Enough Mb Stables Beschizza A

Mb Stables holds a strong hand in this race with 2 of the 5 runners and this one is equally good as her stable mate of not better. Twice a grade one winner last year she has looked a bit ordinary in her two starts this year and you have to wonder if her best form will end up being when she was a three year old. Better known for her wins over further it will be interesting to see if her trainer lets her run with the outside speed push and she can bowl along in front.

SUMMARY
A disappointing sized field but there is quality there and it is a very even race. Of the four year olds you just have to try and work out which one has trained on and none of them has looked dominant so its hard to pick. I am sticking with my theory of older horses against fours and going with Shake it Off to find her old form,

Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES