The 9th Running of The Seeking The Ante

Friday, August 26, 2022

SAR Race #7 $200.000 6.5 Furlongs

NY-Bred 2YO Fillies 119 Lbs (plus penalties)

Track Record-1:14.80 (Grande Greek-2021)

Stakes Record-1:15.63 (Bite The Bullett-2019)

#1 Sneaky Decision (Nakamura Stables/J.A. Garcia 119): Winner of her free track debut on the grass, lass has been fed a steady diet of one-mile works since June.  Good news is she’s on the rail and only one of these has beaten winners, but it’s hard to predict what we can expect from her in this spot given the limited information available.  

#2 One Liner (Mb Stables/D. Davis 119): Has yet to run poorly in three starts and comes back here off of last month’s maiden-breaker.  Looks to have ample early foot to take advantage of this draw, and like the fact that she has battled in all three efforts.  Trainer has to replace the jock from last two runs, but pilot is fully capable if she’s good enough.

#3 Exclusive Ruler (La Canada Racehorses/F. Prat 119): Lass earned a check in April before returning in June to break the maiden.  Hasn’t run since, but the spacing worked well for her last time.  Definitely gets a bump in competition here, but like the fact that she has shown a willingness to pass horses in the latter stages.

#4 Childe Girl (Mb Stables/Mar. Garcia 119): The only two-time winner in the field, trainer may have gotten the better end of the $30.000 purchase price.  Before you ask who she’s beaten, last out runner up returned to score in local N1X just last week.  Should be involved every step.

#5 Gaga (D J C Racing Stables/K. Carmouche 119): 3rd in her debut before winning at second asking.  Last time tried CD, $175.000 foes and came home ninth beaten four lengths.  Like that she’s faced quality opposition, but she’ll need to show better to have a chance here.  Draw shouldn’t hinder her chances as she may be able to move a few paths inside and sit in the tracking flight.

#6 Atomic Woman (Arindel/T. Gaffalione 119): Improved performances in four straight tries with the maiden-breaker coming just three weeks back.  Did win over a “good” surface, but there was nothing wrong with her efforts over a fast strip.  Like the fact that she doesn’t appear to be a one-trick pony as that gives her options.

#7 Indien Rouge (Mb Stables/J.J. Castellano 119): Barn’s third entrant has seen the best opposition of anyone in the field; however, she hasn’t been able to time her move as well against stakes foes.  Figures to stick to her guns and try to run them down late, but she’ll need a few things to go her way to get by all of these even on the perceived drop in company.

#8 Hot Angie (Night Rider Stables/J.C. Ferrer 119): Outside runner has been offered-up for a tag twice, but, after daylight, front-running score, conditioner decided this was a good spot to see what she really has.  She definitely showed improvement 2nd-out, but have to wonder if that was due to catching a “good” surface or natural devlopment.  Got no favors with the draw so a tough assignment gets a bit tougher.

Final Analysis: In the two-horse race for meet supremacy, this one could go a long way towards determining a winner.  We’ll play it 6-4-7 in The Seeking The Ante.  Good luck, everyone!

Categories: STAKES ARTICLES