HOU Ladies Classic – Grade III
1 1/16m Dirt Graded Stake
Purse $300.000 For Fillies And Mares Four Years Old And Upward.
1 Flawed Justice YME Stable Gallardo A A
It is always tough for four year olds later in the season but at this time the olders get their best chance of a win and this one has proved she is up to this sort of level. The winner of four from nine she took the Pitcher Stakes after a close second in the WO Oaks. In her next start she was beaten just a half length in the grade One Alabama but then her form tailed off a little at the end of the season. The trip may be a little short but fresh up it should be ok and with a handy draw she must have every chance.
2 Drink Me Pretty Estero Farms Hernandez R M
This is a pretty hot race and we get the first two in the BC Distaff renewing rivalry in what should be a great race. This filly beat Precise performance in the KYO when beaten a head into third but then finished behind her in the Acorn before being second beaten a length in the BC. On the balance of form she should be held by Precise Performance but she may be just a little fitter having ran again at Christmas whilst the Mb runner hasn’t been seen since the BC. Her works look a little sharper and if she has a chance of leveling up their meetings it will be today.
3 Precise Performance Mb Stables Velazquez J R
There are plenty of reasons to see this one as the winner especially after her hugely impressive win in the BC Distaff. She had won the grade one Alabama before that so she gets in well at grade three level today. My only fear for her is that she may just need the run after nearly 3 months off the track but if anyone can get a horse fit its her trainer.
4 Purely A Dream Nakamura Stables Ryan S
This lightly raced mares trainer had a huge season last year and this one like many from the stable seemed to improve through the year and ended up with a grade three win in the Chilukki. She will need to improve again to win this and whilst that isn’t out of the question her best chance may only come if the rains do.
5 Fair On Friday Gdp Inc Achard A
The 7% jockey is a definite turn off for this one which is a shame because she is a fair sort. She very nearly won the grade two Zenyatta over this trip going down by a half length and was a grade one winner as a three year old which is pretty good form. A 10% jockey and i would be confident of a top four placing but i am not so confident with this hoop on top.
6 Sweet Charis T Boy Racing Arrieta F
A pretty big claim for the stable last year she won two more at overnight level and comes here owing nothing. She will be fit and ready to go but has yet to show any of the form of the top runners in this race. Don’t be writing her off but difficult to see her winning.
7 Scarlet And Gray Nakamura Stables Carrasco V R
The second string from the stable she has been working pretty well after a tough four year old season last year. She won the Shuvee with a storming late run and was also fourth in the grade one La Troinne so there is enough there to give her a serious look especially with the booking of Carrasco who has been in good form this year.
8 Winegum Wishes Crocker Ggs Jaramillo E
It was a bit of a surprise when this one won the GP Oaks last year but failed to really match that run after and may be just a little too inconsistent to really give a big chance to. She has been a deep closer to date so with the new engine we aren’t really sure what to expect but if she can run the sort of race she did in the GP oaks she could be a surprise package.
9 Forever Phooey Party Night Rider Stables Saez L
The winner of the Beldame last year she had the three year old weight advantage then so may find things a bit tougher this year. Having said that we have a different race engine now so the wide draw and her age may not be such a disadvantage and her last three efforts drew speed figures in the 90’s so she must be given a shout.
10 Z Command Smokey Stover Davis D
Won the BC Distaff in 2019 but could only manage fifth from a wide draw last year. She draws out again today so the two who beat her in the Bc should be able to maintain that advantage but she has the weight advantage back today as a five year old so you could easily make her a winning chance. I don’t think she wants much further than this but she has more pace than some so if she can get a decent early position she may be the one to turn over the big two.
11 Beldame D J C Racing Stables Gaffalione T
A very good filly but finds herself out in the cheap seats against some very good sorts. Lightly raced she won the Rampart at the end of the year and could just be improving at the right time to make this her year. A lot will depend on where she ends up at the start of this race but if she can find a spot she is entitled to run a race.
12 Antiquated Story Nakamura Stables Juarez N
The third runner from the Nak she has got the thick end of the draw but is a grade two winner so cannot be written off straight away. She looked good in the Summertime Oaks and did well enough in the DEL Oaks and the Hirsch to suggest she has the ability to be competitive her as long as she can find a place to run from from the car park draw.
SUMMARY
This is a lovely looking race and a real good test for the race engine as trainers start to work things out. Precise Performance should be short odds here but i am willing to go against her as she may just need a run to get her sharp. A couple to try and beat her with will be Drink Me Pretty and Z Command but this is open enough to find a chance for all of them.
Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES
