9/2/2023
10 SAR The Prioress (GII) 
$250.000 3yoF 6f Dirt 122lbs
The big meet at The Spa is in the final few races, but we catch a nice group of sophomore filly sprinters set to go six panels in The Prioress (GII). What a class group we have here… it’s a wide-open affair, but I’m going with Devils Bride as the top choice, off of that Test (GI) win where she beat a slew of these. Could someone turn the tables? Sure. Could something from outside of that race take this? Absolutely. But she looks the part to me. My second choice is out of that same race… Toppifiant. She flew home like a motorcycle to be a head back in that hotly contested finish… I think she keeps getting better and makes a race out of this one, as well.
Here’s The Field –
|
Toppifiant | Our Athletes | Saez L | 122 | 8/1 |
Solid third in the Test (GI) over this surface last out, and she closed well to nab some minor money in that one. This is shorter, so they will need to set her instructions appropriately so that she’s in position… less traffic… she could be dangerous.
|
State Of Red | Night Rider Stables | Carmouche K | 122 | 10/1 |
Tagged for $30.000 at CD and the first race back was instant cash as she took down Alw types over this track in the first start back. It’s up the ladder as she takes on tougher today. She could be any type, and may bring some odds to the table, if you like her.
|
Parade Leader | Fractious | Franco M | 122 | 8/1 |
Faltered a bit in the late stages of the previously mentioned Test, here, in her most recent. She had the lead in the lane, but tired to be sixth… still, she was only three-quarters of a length back in that one, and the shorter distance could be just what she wants.
|
Devils Bride | Fractious | Velazquez J R | 122 | 7/2 |
Not only is she “another” from that Test (GI) race, she was the winner! Up by a nose for her third win of the ’23 season, and she’s been close in a pair of other graded affairs, so she’s sharp and must be feared in this one.
|
Even Flow | Big Guns Stables | Husbands P | 122 | 7/1 |
Got back on the winning side of things last out taking a OptAlw race over this track, and at today’s distance. That was a muddy track, and she was second at CD prior to that race, again on a wet surface. If it rains, look out.
|
Bay The Lady | Mb Stables | Lopez P | 122 | 9/2 |
Closed well to be fourth in the Test (GI), only a neck back in that multiple-photo finish. She threw a dud in the Acorn (GI) so it was good to see this one bounce back… she won the Ashland (GI) at KEE, and was third in the KY Oaks (GI), so the distance is an interesting choice for her.
|
Rabbit Bay | Smokey Stover | Centeno D E | 122 | 6/1 |
Back-to-back wins for this one, beating up on Alw types at both CT and MTH, but she has struggled vs black-type horses, of late… she was ninth in the Fantasy (GIII) at OP in her only seasonal stakes effort. Now, she won the BC Juv F (GI), so we know she has ability.
COZMAN 4 / 1 Willie’s Green Card 7 / 6
Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES
