The Inside Information – Grade II
7f Dirt Graded Stake
Purse $200.000 For Fillies And Mares Four Years Old And Upward.

1 Thalassa Maxmillion Farm Sanchez Jef

This filly has shown some good improvement recently and a hard closing and close fourth in the grade three Fritchie Stakes last time out shows that she s ready for this type of race. She is effective over this trip which is important as seven furlongs is one of those specialist type trips but the inside draw means she will have to start better than she has in her last two or she may end up buried.

2 Introverted Gdp Inc Ortiz J L

A winner of five from nine she is an ultra consistent mare in lower grades but looked ready to step up when taking an open allowance on this track last time. She sits in the golden triangle of draws and as the winner of her last three looks a good chance to make it four in a row.

3 Sports Creek Estero Farms Landeros C

Had Thalassa just under a length behind in the Fritchie Stakes last time when she raced close to the speed and dug deep for a neck win. She is a class above some of these on exposed form and is working strongly. Couple that with the perfect draw and a trainer in form and she may be the irresistible force that takes this race.

4 Coldpack John Henry Saez L

One of the best sprinting fillies last year and proven at this trip she goes in alongside Sports Creek as the class of the race. The winner of the grade one Ballerina last year she was only beaten a half length in the BC Sprint when coming from gate 13 so on that sort of form she must be a big player in this race. I thought she was just Ok when fourth on seasonal debut in the Santa Monica Stakes so has a little bit to improve on to be back to her best.

5 Cocoa Nut Team 7 Illusions Jimenez A

Another that was a little disappointing on seasonal debut after a big three year old season she was the winner of the Raven Run and seventh beaten two lengths in the BC Sprint. On that form she has a bit to find with Coldpack but is good enough if she can find her peak form.

6 Kapai Kapow Grimley Castellano J J

A good sort who is consistent she comes up against a tough field here and may be battling for a place. She is however a five year old and they have a little advantage at this time of year against the four year olds so she is worth the chance and may run well.

7 Indian River Queen South Beach Racing Jaramillo E

Only beaten a nose in the CCA oaks last year she struggled with consistency as a three year old but has shown improvement since being raced over this trip. An easy winner of the Hurricane Bertie last time in the mud her best chance from this gate may come with rain but a 1.10 and 2 work last time suggests there has been some strides made recently and she may just be the dark horse in the race.

8 Helping People Mb Stables Leparoux J R

The winner of the grade one Test and the Eight Belles last year she is another that was a little stale on seasonal debut when only third to Indian River Queen in the Hurricane Bertie. It would be easy to blame the going that day but it was slushy when she won the Test so i am not sure that can be used as an excuse. For me she is still a little off her best and this wide draw will make it hard for her to find her best form.

9 Covert Operation D J C Racing Stables Zayas E J

Bought for $400.000 at auction last year her first start saw a big failure in the La Brae Stakes and her trainer has given her a bit of a break to get a handle on her needs. The outside gate may make it very tough for her to get back to her best but her works times are sharp enough and in a race where there will no doubt be three or four lengths covering the field she may just need a bit of luck to start repaying her debts.

SUMMARY

There are several of the top three’s from last year running here but horses don’t last long these days and i am sure at least half of these will be retired by the end of the season. So which one of these is most likely to make it as a four year old? For me Sports Creek has already proved she has trained on so she will be my choice.

Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES