The Pitcher Stakes – Grade III
MTH Race #8 1 1/16m Dirt Graded Stake
Purse $250.000 For Fillies And Mares Three Years Old And Upward.
1 Charming Moon Night Rider Stables Elliott S
This one has been laying down some decent speed figures without winning out of grade yet but he has run second twice at ungraded level so must get respect from an inside draw. He seems to act on both turf and dirt and races this trip well so whilst she isn’t an obvious choice on form alone she does come into it with a decent chance.
2 Viking Belle Vb Smokey Stover Velazquez J R
In previous years three year olds have dominated these types of races but this years crop don’t seem to be having the same success so this one isn’t the obvious choice as she may have been in previous seasons. Certainly on her fourth in the grade one Ashland and far effort in the Eight belles she looks a good bet especially coming from this great draw but rather than just assuming she will win because she is three we have to look for a bit more. Luckily there is more, solid mile works and a comprehensive win last time in a three’s and up race say she should go close.
3 Wbf No Regrets TwinTowersRacing Bridgmohan S X
When you get a grade one winner ina grade three with no penalty it is normally time to pile the Disney Dollars on and she does look the pick on her known form and this handy draw. Fourth in the Bc Fillies and mares sprint last year she has stepped up over ground recently and won the grade one Apple Blossom Handicap and then ran a fine third in the Phipps. Her Apple Blssom run saw he beat Drink Me Pretty a length and there is a two pound turn around today so that puts them very close but she must be considered a winning chance.
4 Drink Me Pretty Mb Stables Jaramillo E
One of two next to each other from the stable that like Wbf No Regrets tries to take advantage of this penalty less race. She is very close with Wbf regrets on Apple Blossom running but on her fine second in the BC Distaff last year may be the pick. Bought for $500 this year she added the grade two Santa Maria to her impressive record last time out and should start favorite on her best form.
5 Orange Beach Mb Stables Gonzalez Ru
Her last start showing in the Phipps was a bit of a mystery as she has never been beaten that far in all her 22 starts but a slow start saw her chances disappear. She has enough good form previous to that to expect better today but to me at least she looks the second string from the stable.
6 Miss Steel Mazula Nakamura Stables Carrasco V R
A decent sort with some strong placed efforts to her name she was given a confidence boosting run last time at LAD and cruised home so she will be ready for more today. Her 1.36 and 2 work puts her right in this and if she can run to her best she will be thereabouts.
7 Zombie Storm La Canada Racehorses Davis D
She has been a solid filly from year one but has grown into herself this year and looks the best she has ever been. A game winner of the Trillium Stakes she backed that up with a strong allowance win last time and along with her works looks to be really finding her feet. The draw will be awkward and she has been stalking from better draws recently so that will be a question she will need to answer, but if she does she has a chance.
8 Tall And Fast Arindel Garcia Mar
The second three year old in the field she has some up and down form but certainly looks in the right race. The winner of the Alexandra she went on to run poorly in the KYO but has bounced back from that with good efforts since. From this draw she may be forced onto the lead which may be her downfall but if she can find a spot and save some energy she wont be far away.
SUMMARY
A lovely race that will take some winning. On paper it looks between Wbf No Regrets and Drink Me Pretty for the win, plenty of chances for the minors.
Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES
