The Benson Memorial Stakes – NG
3/21/20
FG Race 8 1 1/16M – Turf
Purse $100.000
Four Year Olds and Up Fillies and Mares

A field of six fillies and mares have been entered up for the first ever running of the Benson Memorial Stakes over the Fair Grounds turf course one Louisiana Derby day. A card filled with stakes action here and this is a good race also. Let’s take a look at the field.

1. Ancient Royalty (51-8-8-12 $602.810), trained by Paradise Stable

The old eight year old mare in the field here and she is going to be coming into this race trying to switch around her recent form by switching back to the turf. She has already won a stakes race over this turf course but she is old and worn down I think at this point. She will have to pull some old tricks to get up in here.

2. Diamond Tiara (21-7-1-2 $229.430), trained by John Henry

Up next in the field right here is another battle tested mare in the field right here and she is coming into this race off of a fifth place finish in the South Beach at Gulfstream. She was only beaten a length that day and is she improves off of that she could have a shot to win here.

3. Limited Risk (15-6-3-0 $215.510), trained by Fractious

And now to this filly right here who is coming into this race off of second place finish in the grade three Endeavour BC at Tampa Bay in her last start. This should technically be an easier spot and if she can run that same race in this spot she should be very tough to beat.

4. American Priestess (11-4-2-3 $39.190), trained by Nakamura Stables

Well this filly here is definitely making a jump in class in what is only going to be the second ever start of her career. She won a starter allowance in her last start which was her first start on the turf. She will need to run a career best in here to have any chance of winning.

5. Chill Chat (21-9-6-1 $234.150), trained by Allinthegate

A two time stakes winner right here and she is entering this race off of a very close second place finish in the grade three Megahertz at Santa Anita. She was only beaten a neck in that race and if she runs just as good as she did that day she will be tough to beat in here.

6. Bonne Happy (8-2-2-1 $42.860), trained by Crocker Ggs

And the final runner in the field here and in her last race she was second in the Mary Todd at Gulfstream. That was stakes but is was starter stakes so this is a step up in class for sure. She has a tough post being on the outside and she also needs to run a career best to win.

Summary

A small but very tough field in this race and there is chances for pretty much every single horse in this field. Definitely no standout in this field but the one I’m going to go with is Limited Risk because I think she has a little class edge over them. Good luck to all in my field.

3-5-2-1

Categories: STAKES ARTICLES