The Orchid – Grade III
GP Race #3 1 1/2m InTurf Graded Stake
Purse $165.000 For Fillies And Mares Four Years Old And Upward.

1 Voltaire Threshold Lezcan J 124 —

This mare is a very honest type who has been pretty consistent at this level for a while now. Placed plenty of times in graded company, she came good at the end of last year in the Red Carpet recording what is probably her career best win. After a break, she had a pipe opener in a TAM Allowance where she showed her usual tenacity to win by a neck after being on speed for much of the race. Sure to give you a big run for your money.

2 Ginger Lucy The Sidley Stud Corrales G 124 —

Like the mare inside her, she was pretty consistent last year at this level but struggled to win and went through the season with no victories. There were some good races, notably when second in the Dance Smartly and you can be sure she will be in this race for a long way. She could win, but with her last win coming in 2023 the odds are more for a spirited place than the number one spot.

3 Nijinsky Team 7 Illusions Davis D 124 —

This really is a race where we see many of the bridesmaid types that often run well in this company but have yet to break through. This five-year-old ran a huge race in the Rodeo Drive last year closing hard for a very close fourth, but the only actual win she found in 2024 came in ungraded company. This is a very even contest and she is bound to be right there at the end so could be the winner.

4 Cacciadiavola High Voltage Van Dyke D 124 —

Bought for the $1.000 in the Smokey Stover giveaway she was a very good three-year-old who looks to be a great lottery win for the new owner. Third in the Edgewood and seventh in the grade one Queen Elizabeth, she may have more scope that some of these highly tried types and is working like she has enjoyed the ageing process. She may be a bit rusty after 5 months off the track, but she certainly has the ability to win if fit enough.

5 Alice Springs TwinTowersRacing Bridgmohan S X 124 —

Another highly tried mare, she was bought for $132.000 from London Racing last Autumn but hasn’t found a way to pay that back in three races since. With none of her races for the new owner being the same twice, her form may be skewed by the fact that she has been from five furlongs to nine furlongs and from dirt to turf. We won’t know if this trip and surface are her thing until after the race, but she has worked OK so maybe in with a chance of the stable shock result that TwinTowers can find now and again.

6 Peacestone Hunterman Stable Espinoza V 124 —

Won four races as a three-year-old, including a big-ticket allowance at SAR. That win led her to the Sands Point, where she ran a super race to be a close third and then ended the season with a decent fourth in the Sugar Swirl. On her seasonal reappearance in January, she only failed by inches to win the La Prevoyante Handicap and looks a big win chance here against some consistent but not too quick foes.

7 Saluting Greatness The Sidley Stud Gutierrez Mario 124 —

A lightly raced five-year-old, she was a bit disappointing in the Very One last time after a good second in the Frankel Stakes before that. Competitive in a race like this, but I am not sure she can win.

8 Beat Down TwinTowersRacing Rodriguez A R 124 —

She was a bit in and out last year very nearly winning the Honeymoon but then running very poorly in the Music City and the Tropical Park Oaks. She didn’t do enough on seasonal debut for me to put her in the first three.

9 More Interest Mo Mentum Farm Zayas E J 124 —

A good third in the Endeavor and then a distant third in the Very One, she is certainly good enough to compete at this level but one or two may be too good for her today. A closing type she may get too far back from the draw and would need a fast pace to get over the top of them late.

SUMMARY

Plenty of proven form at this level in this race making it pretty tough to pick the winner. Voltaire is an honest sort but has to cope with a couple of progressive four-year-olds who may find more improvement than her in Peacetone and Cacciadiavola.

Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES