The Acorn – Grade I

Race Date: 6/5/2026  Time: 14:10  Deadline: 6/1/2026 3:00 Track: SAR  Race #: 4  Distance: 1 1/8m  Surface: Dirt  Race Type: Graded Stake Purse: $500.00 – For Fillies Three Years Old

1 – Be Royal – Mb Stables – Fresu A – 122 lbs

I think the main reason this filly has only won three is her running style, because as a closer this engine is a tough nut to crack. Running from this same draw, she went back as usual in the KYO and, as usual, came home strongly to end up fifth, just a length off the winner. In real life that would be an eye‑catching run, but at HRP that is a pretty normal thing to see and doesn’t mean the same as it would if we were watching live horse flesh.

So, the question is: does the champion trainer click the gaming buttons to try and get her nearer early on—maybe sacrificing her big finish—or do they roll the dice and hope it is one of those rare days that the race engine favors closers? If anyone can make the right decision it is Mb Stables, but whatever happens, this filly is a strong winning chance.

2 – Wicked Angelina – The Sidley Stud – Lopez P – 122 lbs

She beat Be Royal home in the KYO with an even stronger late finish, which saw her end up third. I guess all the things I just said about Be Royal apply to this filly, and being trained by one of the top stables, we can only wait and enjoy the spectacle of who comes out on top today.

3 – West Coast Girls – Diablo Diablo – Pennington F – 122 lbs

She went and took on the boys after winning the Untappable and very nearly winning the Alexandra, and ran with a lot of merit, nearly winning the VA Derby and rattling home for a good sixth in the BG Stakes. She was favorite to win the Black Eyed Susan in her last start when returning to her own sex but only managed fifth from a wide draw.

This is a filly with a lot of potential, but very much like the other two above her in the draw, she is a closer that relies on the race engine more than her ability. The draw, like the others, gives her a chance to lay up closer—or, of course, the gaming buttons can do the same. The question is: what will the track favor today, speed or closers?

4 – Dreambits – Mb Stables – Velazquez J R – 122 lbs

On paper there are only two on‑pace fillies in this race, so as long as they don’t go at it, they could end up slipping away while the closers try to mistime their challenges. The fact that Mb Stables has the other runner suggests they will send this one to try and make the pace strong, as she did in the KYO when she weakened at the end but was still only beaten around a length.

I think the running styles are key today, and it will be interesting to see how the race engine handles it.

5 – Woman On The Moon – Arindel – Curtis B – 122 lbs

Another closer, and another that came rushing late from a long way back in the KYO. She has got the timing right on a couple of occasions recently, but like so many, will be flying home in what is sure to be a race of necks and noses. She was drawn in the car park in the KYO, so she will be able to stay closer today—how close, though, is the big question.

6 – Something Aint Right – Alydar Stables – Gaffalione T – 122 lbs

I really only needed to write two things about every filly in this race: She will close late and hope to get the timing right. Or she will go forward and try to catch the closers napping.

The only thing that will change that scenario is a wonky race engine or some ingenious gaming buttons; either way, we won’t know which until after the race. Another flying‑home‑late type in the KYO, she certainly has all the qualifications to win if it is she that gets it right.

7 – Pineapple Puff – Nakamura Stables – Bejarano R – 122 lbs

The second of the two speed influences, she used that in the KYO when just getting collared in the final furlong when second. She had less than a length to spare on pretty much every other runner in this race, and I cannot see a way the same race doesn’t happen again today.

If the two pace horses manage to set a sensible pace, they could easily repeat the KYO result.

8 – Monarchy – Mo Mentum Farm – SCRATCHED

9 – Do Not Disturb – Panionios Racing – Centeno D E – 122 lbs

Can I say “ditto”—is that allowed? Well, in this one’s case I am going to reserve judgement because she could be the fly in the ointment. More a midpack closer, she does have more early pace than some of the others, so maybe with the outside speed push she will be used to throw a cat among the pigeons and try for the lead. That could set it up perfectly for the closers.

If she takes a pull and settles into a more midpack position, she may get first run at the leaders and improve on her close fifth in the KYO. The eighth winning chance in an eight‑runner race.

SUMMARY

In my head I can see this race looking very much like the KYO: Pineapple Puff leading, Dreambits stalking, and the rest five lengths back waiting for the engine to tell them when to close. If it is a carbon copy, then it’s about who finishes third, but it would only take a click of the gaming buttons or a race‑engine brain‑fart to turn this race completely on its head.

The smaller field will certainly help the closers negotiate traffic, so you either pick one of them—literally any of them, because they could all win—or you go with the last start of most of this field and put the leaders one‑two.

I can’t wait to write about how things turn out!!

Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES