The Hurricane Bertie – Grade III
GP Race #4 6 1/2f Dirt Graded Stake
Purse $165.00 For Fillies And Mares Four Years Old And Upward.

1 Grandest Lady La Canada Racehorses Bravo J 124 —

Consistent last year with a win in this grade and a decent third placing twice at grade two, she went to the BC sprint an outside chance but couldn’t live with them that day. After a break, she has come back with a game win from on the speed in an allowance at TP and has worked well enough since to suggest she is certainly no worse than last year making her a chance back in her winning grade.

2 My Pretty Threshold Salles L 124 —

Had a progressive year last year with two good black type wins after being claimed from Fractious back in July. On seasonal debut she was a bit flat from a tough draw in the Santa Monica ending up ninth but not beaten too far. If that run has brought her on, she must be a win chance from this better draw.

3 Ifyerwokeyerajoke TwinTowersRacing Saez L 124 —

She was pretty consistent last year but couldn’t find a win although her good third in the Hirsch would certainly put her in the running for a win today. She ran well in the Wishing Well on seasonal debut ending up second and certainly looks well placed in this type of field.

4 Aliens Team 7 Illusions Van Dyke D 124 —

Managed to better Ifyerwokeyerajoke in the Wishing Well running on from the decent pace to get over the top of the on-pacer through the final furlong. She showed a massive turn of foot that day to take the win off the back of a maiden win and looks a really good sort who has been looked after as she is a late maturing type. In only her seventh start she is an untapped talent that could step up again today and prove she is a useful addition to the female sprinting ranks.

5 Apple Berry Arq Racingfarms Jaramillo E 124 —

Another lightly raced sort, she has a bit to find at this level but with a strike rate of two from four, cannot be underestimated. She was game in winning an ungraded race at SUN before struggling to see out the mile last time, she seems better suited to sprints so should be competitive here.

6 Killeacle Girl The Sidley Stud Husbands P 124 —

Finished a shade in front of My Pretty in the Santa Monica after going pretty hard in front and like My Pretty can be forgiven for needing the run after a fairly long break. A grade three winner at this trip, so well in here she would certainly have every chance despite a wider gate.

7 Devils Bride Alydar Stables Husbands M J 124 —

Draws the outside, but that may not be enough to beat the mare from the in-form Alydar Stables. The winner of the grade two Garden Lady last year when owned by Fractious, she hasn’t won for the new owner yet but has run pretty well in all her starts and is arguably the form choice for this race. Third in the Santa Monica last time, she had a few of her main rivals here behind her and after two runs this year will be hard fit for this assignment.

Summary

Devils Bride looks like the form pick here after her good run in the Santa Monica, but the wide draw makes her vulnerable. She may pierce to the lead using the wide gate speed push but there is plenty of pace inside her and it won’t be easy. Aliens looks a progressive sort, and I feel there is a good horse in the making here but this is her biggest test, and she will need to take another step up to win. Of the others, well this is a very even field and a good case can be made for them all so my choices are made without much confidence.

Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES