Beverly D – Grade I
AP Race #3 1 3/16m Turf Graded Stake
Purse $400.000 For Fillies And Mares Three Years Old And Upward.

With a lot of the games talent being directed towards SAR and DMR this AP weekend has brought up some graded stakes which may be easier to win than the allowances at those other tracks. This race has only attracted six and whilst they are a pretty good bunch you would have to say opportunities at grade one like this do not come along too often these days.
The other significant thing this year is the lack of quality three year olds that can compete with older horses. Since 2015, six years in a row, this race has been won by three year olds. In fact last year three quarters of the field were three year olds because of that very fact. This year however there is just the two and that probably tells the biggest story of the 2021 season.

Here is how they line up for vital BC points.

1          Proud Eights        Estero Farms          Bejarano R

The ace draw goes to the dual grade one winning mare Proud Eights. A disappointment in last years BC she has shown her resilience this year by getting right back on with it in winning both the Wiley and The Gamely. The easy track slowed her winning run last time when she could only manage third in the Diana but even that was a pretty good effort. My only worry for her is that she may be susceptible at this sort of trip but with an inside draw she should get an economical trip and that may be enough to see her home.

2         Too Scared To Party       Smokey Stover        Loveberry J

This trainer holds a strangle hold on the female population but this filly has a bit to find with proud Eights on their Wiley run. I can see the plus side for her here though, she is proven to stay this trip and that will certainly help her cause but on the downside she has been a deep closer for most of her career and under the new race engine that may be a disadvantage. I wonder if the trainer has that in mind and will get funky with the instructions here, a mere click of the button and she may turn out to be a front runner, who knows.

3       Common Misconception          Nakamura Stables      Court J K

In past years we would have stopped right here, a three year old. This year however has been a very different year and suddenly this isn’t the sure thing it may have been in the past. The winner of the BC Juvenile Turf last year she is a graded stakes winner this year although her effort in the BEL Oaks last time was pretty disappointing. You always have to give the juvenile BC winners a bit of leeway when they turn three and whilst she has managed two grade 3 wins this year she certainly hasn’t lived up to her achievements as a two year old. It will be interesting to see how she goes but this seasons trends are against her.

4        Starship Qanon         TwinTowersRacing           Saez G

If you heard me groan it is because i am writing up races this weekend where this stable may well make me look a fool. Why? well this is another that on paper has little chance but i seem to say that about a lot of the stables horses and they always prove me wrong. Just the one turf start and beaten in a non graded stakes she shouldn’t be a factor here but that is where i have to stop. She is working some decent dirt times and has been consistent on that surface, this is her first time over this trip and she gets the age allowance. Those factors coupled with the trainers ability to get the best out of their horses in big races put this one in the mix.

5         Intanga Rose          D J C Racing Stables          Garcia Mar

This filly has promised so much but seems to consistently find ways to lose although most of those reasons are out of her control. A grade one winning three year old each time she has looked a winning prospect this year she has either had a bad draw or the track has come up wet. Both of those factors make her record look inconsistent and unattractive but i feel there is a big win in this filly if she finally gets a change of luck. That could indeed be today but once again she comes up with a widish draw, the track however should stay fast which will help her a lot and just maybe today is the day her luck changes.

6           Rules Are Madness          Angelos Stable         Jaramillo E

The wide gate hold this five year old grade one winner who has had a good career and i feel it is not over yet. She has had a busy year and has yet to win but there are a few efforts that suggest she can come back to her grade one winning form. Second in the Modesty Stakes last time she showed she still retained enough ability to be a factor here although her works suggest a decline. The wide gate wont help but you cannot write her off with any confidence.

SUMMARY

The draw may be key for Proud Eights here and all the form lines point to her winning. I think Intanga Rose is due a change of luck and she may be the biggest danger with Too Scared To Party an obvious choice for the trifecta.

Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES