The Ballston Handicap – Grade II
1 1/16 Mile Inner Turf Stake Purse $400.000 Filly & Mare 3 Year Olds And Up.

1st Snacks D J C Racing Stables Lezcano J

With less than a length between th first four it was an expectedly close race especially as no rabbit turned up. I suspected this one was the best in the race beforehand and she just proved good enough holding on by a nose. In true HRP gaming fashion this horse went from a closer to a front runner and though she set a strong pace was classy enough to hold on in the end, a feat in itself. She doesnt win out of turn but she is very close to the top group of fillies and mares and has been a super consistent filly especially this year.

2nd Machined Team 7 Illusions Colon L H

A decent effort from yet another Cherokee Sunset offspring she stalked the lead and was grabbing the eventual winner when the post came a few feet too soo. She has been sprinting for much of her career but apparently right under the nose of one of our best trainers she was always better in a route and should pick up some more prizes before being sent to the shed.

3rd Agenda Mb Stables Bejarano R

A flying finish saw her fail by a neck to catch the winner but she certainly looked better coming from off the pace as opposed to the more forward positions she has been taking up recently. A good effort but she remains on the outskirts for the BC.

4th Z Fan Nakamura Stables Saez L

Beaten less than a length in the end you feel she ran her race and there were no real excuses. A decent sort but not quite up to this level.

Footnote: We had a nice three year old in this race, a grade three winner who was third at grade two level last time out but we were shown the huge difference the weight for age system makes to a three year olds chances in stakes races as she finished a well beaten last. If this was run again as a weight for age race i winder what the odds are that this one would be in the top three?

Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES