The 4th Running of the Limestone Turf Sprint
April 15, 2022
$200.000 5.5 Furlongs Turf
KEE Race #1 Post Time 18:25
3YO Fillies 120 Lbs
Track Record-1:01.55 (Native Uprising-2004)
Stakes Record-1:02.59 (Down In The Gulley-2021)
Sophomore fillies will get the chance to flash their speed in the 5.5-furlong, $200.000 Limestone Turf Sprint. The Friday opener at KEE should serve as a good appetizer for the G1 Makers Mark Mile which will go twenty minutes after this one. Despite getting a major purse boost to double the money from the first three runnings, this year’s Limestone Turf Sprint only drew a field of six. Despite the lack of support at the entry box, we do have some quality individuals as three of these lasses are already winners of black-type. Let’s meet the field and see who’s ready to be their best in the Limestone Turf Sprint!
#1 Incendiary (Mb Stables/Mario Gutierrez): Rail filly already has five stakes wins, including a G2 and G3, on her resume and enters here off of the first win of her season. Took the first four races of her career on the main track, but she’s shown she’s just as tough with two wins on the lawn at this level. Great post for her style and she looks very well-spotted in here.
#2 Great Beneficiary (Smokey Stover/J.C. Ferrer): 4-time winner hasn’t tasted victory at this level, but she’s about as consistent as you could hope for with 8 ITM finishes from 9 starts. Has shown a bit more early zip as a 3yo and looks to be one of a few in here that will have her sights set on the lead. Gets tested for class here, but there’s nothing on her page to suggest she’s not ready to face this company.
#3 The Black Water (Arindel/S.X. Bridgmohan): A stakes winner on the main track, this gal only has the maiden-breaker to boast about on the lawn. Her other turf starts weren’t poor efforts as she was ITM in both, but neither of those were vs this type of group. She has enough early foot to stay in contention the entire trip and we like the fact that she’s a.) cutting back to 5.5 and b.) back on the lawn. Another contender.
#4 Shandy (Arindel/C.J. Hernandez): This could get interesting. Another filly that has shown the ability to be forwardly-placed, this gal has the option to take back as well. If she goes forward, this pace could get very, very hot; however, if she were to show a bit more restraint, she could find the rail and sit just behind. Tough call for a barn that makes good decisions on the regular, so expect her to be right where he wants her.
#5 Cherokee Shocker (Spankys Barn/J. Graham): Lightly-raced, but she’s a check earner for sure. Looks to be even more headstrong than the others in here as she likes to dictate the terms of engagement. Worth noting that those efforts were at longer trips, but equally worth noting that she was in front going down the hill at SA. Expect her to at least contest the pace, and she’ll be in front at some point, just not sure it will be when they pass under the wire.
#6 Sacred Moon (Nakamura Stables/J. Talamo): Filly’s 3rd start of the season will be her first sprint in eight months after five straight races at the straight mile. Has shown plenty of juice in those races, but a different level of speed will be needed here. Would like to see more evidence that this is a game she wants to play, but can’t fault those that believe in her.
Final Analysis: Not a bad horse in the race, but we’ll say 1-2-4 in an excellent renewal of the Limestone Turf Sprint. Good luck everyone!
Categories: STAKES ARTICLES
