Chandelier Stakes – Grade I [BC] [KYO]
SA Race #8 1 1/16m Dirt Graded Stake
Purse $300.000 For Fillies Two Years Old.
1 Love My Curry, trained by Night Rider Stables
Made ground in her early starts racing mainly on the turf, but certainly found her legs in her fourth and last start when flying from the back to stride seven lengths clear in an FL Maiden. That run was on the dirt and over a mile and seventy yards, so I am thinking this trip and surface will be perfect for her. The downside, of course, is this race is a long way from an FL maiden however impressive she was, and with just average work times, I am struggling to give her a winning chance.
2 Winter Fusion, trained by Delta Farms
Another who looked suited by this surface and trip when she took her last start, an allowance at RP, she strode home two lengths clear that day for a second career win. Her work times are pretty good, but I worry about her start at DMR where she struggled in a better race. There are a couple of outstanding chances in this, and she is not one of them, but she does have a fair chance of picking up some place money.
3 What A Troublemaker, trained by Blushing Meadows
Still a maiden, she stayed on nicely last time over the mile to be second and looks to be in the mix for minors, rather than the win. Her work times are improving, but not up to the best of these, and although I like her as a long shot, I can’t get too enthusiastic in this grade.
4 Snow Peak, trained by Mb Stables
Dead heated with Rollergirl in the DMR Debutante last time, and is now unbeaten in two starts. Her claims are obvious and her work times shade most of these, so HRP’s champion trainer will be confident of another Grade One victory.
5 All Fueled Up, trained by Yankee Doodle Stable
Flew home from way back to win her maiden last time after some good efforts in high level maidens before that. She has yet to tackle this sort of trip, but her running style and MNR work time suggest she will lap it up. Whether she is ready for this grade remains to be seen, but she is certainly amongst the hopes.
6 Scaredy Cat, trained by Heavens Own
Made it two from two with an impressive win in a DMR allowance race, she has also recorded a useful mile work time and must be in the mix. My only fear for her is that she is still only 15.1hh and with 120 and a long trip to cover, she may just need a bit more time.
7 Flash N Sizzle, trained by TwinTowersRacing
A big maiden winner last time at LAD after four efforts in maidens had resulted in only fair efforts. Another that will be suited by the distance and surface, but is an unknown in this grade. Her work times don’t suggest she will be one of the runners at the finish.
8 Watch Your Weight, trained by Mb Stables
An on pace runner from a widish gate, I suspect we will see this filly cutting out the running as she did in her last start win. She has run pretty well in all her four races with just the one win, but will be tough if getting to the front and has decent work times to back up her chances.
9 Easy Time, trained by Waldo
A nice sort, which like the filly inside her, will be put onto the pace by her running style and her wide gate. She should show up for a fair way and has ability, but I am not sure she will stay this trip.
10 Bubble Mach, trained by Smokey Stover
If the wide gate doesn’t ruin her chances, I actually think this may be the outsider most likely to win. A good winner last time out of a MTH maiden, she worked nicely a week back and looks to be improving.
SUMMARY
This isn’t the toughest Grade One field ever assembled, and it looks like the DMR Debutante winner has the race at her mercy. Snow Peak has a lot going for her and is the obvious choice, but as for the rest things get a lot grayer. I like Bubble Mach from the outside and All Fueled Up may round out the Trifecta.
Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES
