July 9, 2015

The Bison City Stakes is such an intriguing race in its history at HRP that something weird is bound to happen on Sunday, when the first three finishers in the WO Oaks resume their rivalry going 1 1/16 miles for a $250.000 purse. The first four winners of the race did not even run in the first jewel prior to their victories but Wyverness, Roundheel and Crown Victory each went onto to future success in open company later on in their careers with earnings of more than $1000.000 each. In the past two seasons, Its Stormy and Theorist were not good enough to win going nine-furlongs but came back to win going shorter and off that premise, that filly to beat might just be the most lightly raced of all, but with the potential to really step up and take down the biggest win of her young career.

1-Angelic Appeal (Three-year-old bay filly / Owner-Mb Stables)

Going long for only the second time in her career, Angelic Appeal was able to get out, lead the WO Oaks field and never look back en route to a wire-to-wire win that looked nothing like her effort at OP in the Grade III Fantasy. Getting to the lead will be that easy once again with no other speed signed on and on paper, she has to be considered to be the one to beat, even if the trends from this race are stacked against her.

Analysis-No speed to challenge her makes it much easier

Fair Odds-2/1

2-Unsecured (Three-year-old black filly / Owner-Team 7 Illusions)

Fourth in the Gazelle at AQU and a charging second in the WO Oaks, Unsecured seems to be coming into her own with each and every route start and now, she might get the pace to chase in a race that could see her finally score a second career win. She is equally adept over a fast track or the off-going and her pedigree suggests that the distance should not be a problem so look for her to try and sit closer to the pace and make an early move that might allow her to run down the loose speed.

Analysis-Loves to close but needs to the right pace

Fair Odds-3/1

3-Ancient Royalty (Three-year-old bay filly / Owner-Paradise Stable)

Ancient Royalty was a minor stakes winner at TP earlier this season but has been off the board in her most recent starts against Grade II company and although this is a small field, and restricted company, she still needs to show more to make her a contender in this race. Speed ratings have stalled and she has really lacked the closing kick needed to win this type of event and with loose speed to her inside, she will need to be at her very best to hit the board at low odds.

Analysis-Has lacked the momentum in recent starts

Fair Odds-8/1

4-Rhaella (Three-year-old gray filly / Owner-Night Mare Racing)

Rhaella took a big step forward in the WO Oaks and closed well for third after sitting back off the pace and now, with that experience, she looks to move up once again against a smaller field of repeat rivals. Going a route of ground should be no problem given the success of her dam and the only knock against her is that she is at the mercy of the pace once again and could be caught behind slower than expected fractions yet again.

Analysis-Faces her main rivals again and faces a pace test

Fair Odds-4/1

Overall

The top three finishers in the WO Oaks renew their rivalry once again in the Bison City Stakes on Sunday and once again, Angelic Appeal has all the chips in her corner with a victory over her two main foes, and the speed and power to lead gate-to-wire. Unsecured certainly has the most upside potential, being lightly raced and ever improving, but the fear is that the lack of speed will get the best of her while Rhaella seems to be battling for the minor awards and might be a better filly on the grass, especially with her fondness for the longer distances.

Prediction

Win-Angelic Appeal (2/1)

Place-Unsecured (3/1)

Show-Rhaella (4/1)

Triple T Racing 🙂

Categories: Ungraded