Santa Ynez Stakes – Grade II [KYO]
7 Furlongs Dirt Stake Purse $200.000 Filly 3 Year Olds.
The winds of change blew across SA today for several reasons. Firstly we saw a filly drawn wide, race wide, hold a decent spot throughout and still hold on in a driving finish. Secondly despite multiple stables with multiple runners, some with grade one type form we didn’t see the tactical domination that we have seen before and finally the stable we are so used to seeing dominate these early three year old races could only manage second with one of their three runners. Like a wounded Tiger i am pretty sure Mb Stables will be more dangerous than ever going forward but it was also telling that with the exception of Smokey Stover it was four of the big five that filled those top four places.
Here is how they ran into the money:
1st Spearmint Rhino Arindel Pereira T J
She danced her way to a good position sitting just behind the pace on the laps of the front runners but wide enough to expect to see her fall off the pole as they hit the stretch. Instead in a feverish battle she drove to the line and came first in a race that gave us hope that the race engine was at last playing fair to the wide gates. With her girths laden with my tips this nicely bred and very attractive filly gave the HRP community notice that Arindel Stables is emerging as a major player and who knows what she would be capable of with a decent draw. She certainly saw the trip out very well so the KYO must now be a target and she could well dance her way into the big time as this was only her third career start and her first stakes race.
2nd Bella Chica Mb Stables Saez L
It has to be said that though this filly was beaten she looked just a little unlucky and you would certainly have to say that the trip was too sharp for her especially with a later running style. She looks more of an Oaks type and will appreciate stepping up in trip next time.
3rd Ginger Latte Nakamura Stables Carrasco V R
Another that did very well from a wide gate she got right up into the stalk early and then settled nicely showing plenty of heart at the finish to hold third just a half length behind the winner. I am not sure this one will end up a KYO chance and her future may well be in sprints or maybe turf races but this was a very nice effort from an improving filly.
4th Main Flirt Fractious Cedillo A
Like the runner up this filly looked like she would appreciate another furlong or two. The Golden Rod winner got a bit buried from the one gate struggling to go the early pace but was picking up nicely at the end and was only a length off the winner at the post. Time will tell but you have a feeling this first four will be facing each other again over a longer trip and there is no way you could say this result was comprehensive enough to not see a reverse later on.
Categories: STAKES ARTICLES