Falls City Handicap – Grade III
CD Race #5 1 1/8m Dirt Graded Stake
Purse $400.00 For Fillies And Mares Three Years Old And Upward.

1 Brienne The Snake Martyparty Wilson E J 120 —

A well-traveled four-year-old with six wins to her name, she isn’t one of the household names but is a grade two winner and certainly comes into the reckoning even with 120Lbs. The ace draw should allow her to get into her preferred stalking position and with this being her favorite trip, I can see her running a big race.

2 Scam Dancer TwinTowersRacing Geroux F 118 —

As usual the trainer pulls no punches with this one and they get rewarded with a great draw that really suits her running style. I like the way she closed off in the Beldame when fifth over this trip and whilst that effort would be good enough to get her in contention, she is a three-year-old running in a handicap and will have to cope with a definite disadvantage at the weights.

3 Afar D J C Racing Stables Ferrer J C 118 —

Another four year old who doesn’t make it into any top ten for her sex but this is a solid performer and seems to be improving at the tail end of the year like these four-year-olds have a tendency to do, Beaten less than a length when closing hard over this trip in the Empire Distaff last time she has placed twice at grade two level this year so gets in very nicely in the handicap.

4 Queen Evade Party Maxmillion Farm Cedillo A 118 —

Another three-year-old who is disadvantaged by the handicap conditions she does have some useful form at the highest level so despite her impost she shouldn’t be taken lightly. The last time she ran over this trip she flew home form a long way back to be fourth in the grade one CCA Oaks and whilst that was impressive, she will have to stay a bit closer early on to have a chance against the older fillies and mares.

5 Mr Socks Party Wood Duck Stables – Scratch – 118 —

6 Shining Moments RNP Stables Bejarano R 121 —

Now I do like five-year-olds in handicaps, but this one has top weight although she gives the same amount of weight to the three-year-olds as she would in any race so it shouldn’t hinder her too much. Obviously, the class in the race she has won ten races and over $2,500.000 in prize money. With only one win this year she does look vulnerable under top weight but has placed a top level and ran very nicely in the BC Distaff last time.

7 Speedy Shark Team 7 Illusions Centeno D E 118 —

Claimed for $10.000 back in June she went from optional claimer to the grade one Taylor but was outclassed and ended up trailing in last of the seven. That run was on turf so we can forgive her that effort, but she still looks tested back on dirt. She could well fly home and win but so far there is nothing in her form lines to suggest that can happen. Having said that, that can be the biggest tip these days!

8 Ignore Tucker Fractious Lopez P 119 —

Bounced back to form to take the Empire Distaff last time and looks for a quick follow up today. This was a very good two-year-old who had struggled this year, but she looked as good as ever last time over this trip and despite being a lot worse off at the weights could be a three-year-old getting ready for a big year next year.

9 Always A Virgin Tinkey Gaffalione T 119 —

One of the flagship horses for this under rated trainer, she is burning the house down with her works and may just be one that can overcome this nasty draw. Better known over shorter trips she was tried in an open allowance last time over a 1/16th shorter than today and saw the trip out really well to win handily. This could just be the trip she is ready for now and she definitely has to go into a top four.

10 Your Demise Riggins Racing Velazquez J R 120 —

This would be some performance if she can overcome the weights and the wide draw today. In normal weight for age conditions, I would like her chances even from the car park but giving weight to older horses may just be too much for her. Do not write her off but be careful of short odds.

SUMMARY

There are some nice three-year-olds here and they do have a decent record in this race which is unusual for a handicap. I, however, cannot get away from the weight disparity so will look to Always A Virgin or Afar as my top two selections.

Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES