The Clement – Grade III
GP Race #7 1 1/2m InTurf Graded Stake
Purse $150.000 For Fillies And Mares Four Years Old And Upward.
1 Nijinsky Team 7 Illusions Bridgmohan S X 124
A solid and consistent six-year-old mare she has been a bridesmaid for most of her career winning only three from 24 but placing twelve times. She had a good few opportunities to improve that record last season but still couldn’t manage a win finishing second five times from eight starts. Sometimes these types can click and run up a sequence so she must be considered a winning chance from the inside gate, but I would be more tempted to look at her for exacta and trifecta bets.
2 Ailin Royalty Stables Curtis B 124
Ran home well to be a close third in the DMR Oaks and the JC Oaks so wasn’t far off the best of her age group last year. She comes here off a strong work and with an ideal gate so must be a strong chance.
3 November Storm Mb Stables Velazquez J R 124
Though she has a better winning record she is a similar sort to Nijinsky. At six she is the sort of age that excels at this time of year and with the best trainer and arguably the best jockey on board she may well start the favourite for the race. The only issue I see with her is similar to a few others in that she tends to come from off the pace so she will need a decent pace to put her there with a chance down the stretch.
4 Explorer Avenue Z Pennington F 124
She had a strong season last year rounding it out with a decent fifth in the BC Fillies and Mares Turf. She tends to run closer to the pace which may be an advantage here and if she can slot in to an easy stalk she may get first run down the stretch.
5 Ponzi Scheme TwinTowersRacing Geroux F 124
Turned herself into a closer after being an on-pace type in the BC and it didn’t suit as she ran a never dangerous seventh. She stalked to win the grade one Taylor before that and if she is that sort of form would be a strong chance to win this race. At eight she is bordering on becoming a brood mare and her last two efforts suggested a slip in form so although she is good enough, I would be wary at making her my top pick.
6 The Lady Of Sod Nakamura Stables Bejarano R 124
I have always felt she was on the cusp of being brilliant last year, but her form tailed off a bit and she struggled in the latter part of the year. Her fine second in the JC Oaks and a soldi fourth in the Queen Elizabeth are what she is capable of and if she reproduces that she is right in the mix. I think as a four-year-old she may have found a little improvement and her works are as strong as any, but she remains a watch and see for me.
7 Bronxbabesarebest Big Jd Racing Rodriguez Jam 124
Another that has been knocking on the door and although she had her best season last year, she still has to prove herself a little against graded class. She made all to win last time so may use the wide gate here to try that again but although she certainly looks capable to win, I am not confident of her chances and would rate her top four for now,
8 My Princess Em Bigchief Stables Lopez P 124
A lightly raced six-year-old she improved last year and managed a grade three win and a strong second in the Dance Smartly. Like the horse inside her she has gone to the front before so with the car park draw, she may have no choice but to try that again and if she manages a soft lead there is no reason, she can’t be in it for a long way.
SUMMARY
A tight little contest with distinct separation between leaders, stalkers and closers. The pace therefore will be key, slow and steady and the on pacers take it, too fast and the closers come and get them. With that in mind it is in the race engines pocket as to who will win this race but with virtually no real clues, I am going for the inside three with November Storm probably coming out on top.
Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES