Vinery Madison (Grade 1)- $300.000 Purse
KEE- For Fillies and Mares Four Years Old and Upward
Seven Furlongs on the Dirt
April 3, 2021

A good looking field of eight is set to go to post for the 18th running of the Grade 1 Vinery Madison, sending older females seven furlongs on the main track. In this race, we will see if Z Command can pull off the win for the second time in a row to join Blonde Dynamite as horses that have been able to achieve it. She is one of four horses that ran in the BC five months ago, so it will not be an easy task. Her trainer, Smokey Stover, is actually fielding two in this race that seem to have a great chance. We should expect to see a well run race here, and likely a close finish. Here’s a look at the field!

#1- Z Command (Smokey Stover, ridden by F Geroux)- Last year, Z Command only had to beat four others to win the Vinery Madison, and this is certainly a stronger field. She’s continued to run well, and has four graded wins since last year, and two of them are in her last two starts. Even more impressive, one of them was just three weeks ago, when she won the Grade 2 Azeri. Has not attempted a Grade 1 since placing fifth in the BC Distaff last fall. Z Command always commands respect every time she is out there.

#2- Orange Beach (Mb Stables, ridden by F Prat)- Prior to last year’s race, Mb Stables had a three race win streak in the Vinery Madison, so he knows how to get it done here as well, not that we would expect less. Orange Beach also ran three weeks ago, but she was out at SA in the Grade 1 Beholder, running third. Prior to that, she won the seven furlong Santa Monica with a 98 SRF in the win.

#3- The Belle Tolls (Fractious, ridden by E Jaramillo)- Since being picked up for $1,000.000 in mid-November, The Belle Tolls has run second in each of her two starts. That sale came after she had run last in the BC Distaff, by the way. One of those runner up finishes came in the Grade 2 Inside Information, which is run with similar conditions at GP, and in a full field of twelve. That race was won by Tenrikyo, who she sees again here.

#4- Empire World (Maxmillion Farm, ridden by A Beschizza)- Maximilian looked like a genius when he claimed this filly for $12.500, won a $150.000 stake a few weeks later, and then won the Grade 1 La Brea right after that. Opened this year in good form as well, but then suffered disappointment in the Azeri three weeks ago. That race should be a throw out, plus I like her at this distance. Others might have more name recognition, but don’t rule her out!

#5- Grayte Catch (Patterson Stables, ridden by J Lezcano)- Trying to follow Maxmillion’s lead in making a great catch out of something that was claimed. This filly was picked up for $46.000 in a maiden claimer, and off of that, she was placed in the Grade 3 Fritchie. She was third in the race, but also missed by five lengths, so you have to wonder about that finish. Works say she will be good.

#6- Tenrikyo (Smokey Stover, ridden by S R Bahen)- This five year old mare has been known to step up in bigger races, winning the KYO and running second in the BC Distaff in 2019, and then running fourth in the Distaff last year. She has made three starts since running in that race, with one win. That came in the Inside Information, a seven furlong race at GP in late January. After that, she did not run well when brought back out there on three weeks rest, but since then, has had time off.

#7- Christina G (Mb Stables, ridden by P Lopez)- After being claimed for $62.500 around this time last year, Christina G was gradually brought along and ultimately won the Grade 3 Victory Ride and the Grade 2 Prioress last year. Three weeks ago, she was down at GP, and won the Hurricane Bertie with a 98 SRF. Still, she seems a little more unknown compared to some of her rivals here, and a win here could help to change that.

#8- Sweep The Pigs (Nolespan Racing, ridden by G Corrales)- Faces some very tough company here as she makes her graded stake debut. She’s won in overnights, doing so three times, but has not seen anything like this. Tried an ungraded stake on the grass last time out, and was fourth of four.

Prediction: 1-6-2-4

— NS

Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES