08/31 The Prioress – Grade II
SAR Race #8 6f Dirt Graded Stake
Purse $250.000 For Fillies Three Years Old.
1 Gobekli Tepe Threshold Bejarano R
This speedy filly stretches out for the first time since her two year old days and probably the biggest question will be whether she can conserve her blinding speed for the right end of the race. Won four turf sprints in a row before being narrowly beaten last time she goes back to the dirt today but her works and previous efforts suggest she will be just as good on this surface. Bejarano picks up the ride.
2 First Impression Mb Stables Velazquez J R
She was stretched out to run a very solid fourth in the GP Oaks back in March but her trainer has dropped her back to sprinting again recently for three narrow defeats in competitive graded stakes. Her last start may have been the best of them when running a close third in the grade one Test and thats always a good sign that this sort of race is within a horses scope. The perfect draw and the perfect owner will make her a popular choice.
3 Maize And Blue Team 7 Illusions Cancel E
Bought for $150.000 after winning her second race on her fourth start this is her first attempt at this level but the trainers interest in her and her work times suggest she is up to it. She has yet to run on dirt but that seems to mean very little at this level at HRP and her works are strong enough to say she wont be inconvenienced.
4 Piece Of Heart Fractious Sanchez M J
Another that was recently purchased she has won her last two both in dirt sprints with the last of them being in the Shine Again where she was a pretty game quarter length winner. Her works are a touch off the best of these but she has a godo draw to work with if she can show some improvement.
5 Key To Class Toppedout Beschizza A
She has mostly been contesting route races but proved in the grade three Beaumont that she can sprint winning that race in the wet over seven furlongs. She has plenty of pace so i dont think this trip will be too short for her but she may be found lacking when they hit the stretch.
6 Sweet Catomine John Henry Gallardo A A
Won the Jersey Girl before a solid sixth in the Test last time out. She has a bit to find with First Impression on that run but she is better suited by six than seven furlongs so may be able to close that gap. A winner of 50% of her races she comes from a stable who has been in great form this year and should run well.
7 Maggie McGee D J C Racing Stables Franco M
Drawn wide and could never get to them in the Test her running style is always challenging in sprint races at HRP. If she can stay a bit closer than normal like she did in the grade one Acorn when a close fourth she could be at decent odds for those looking for value.
8 Grayte Crack Estero Farms Gaffalione T
A real consistent sort she is a real tryer who is a graded stakes winner at this trip and that could stand for a lot in a field with a few question marks. That win came in the Miss PS where she beat First Impression by a head and so she must have atleast a good a chance as that filly even from this awkward draw.
10 Mucho Gracias Rampage Stable Ortiz J L
On recent form this may be the best filly in the race but she has to deal with the wide draw which may work in her favor if things go right. She started the season just averagely but after a win in a small allowance she stepped up with three more wins the last being in the Great Lady Em Stakes where she flew home to win by a head from Grayte Crack. On a bare form line she is a tiny bit better than that filly who is a tiny bit better than First Impression so there is a clear reason to pick her but todays draw really favor First Impression and its usually that that makes the difference rather than anything to do with form.
SUMMARY
Mucho Gracias to beat First Impression and Grayte Crack would be the dirt form choice of a one two three but of they act on the dirt then Maize And Blue and Gobekli Tepe come right into it.
Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES
