The Forward Gal Stakes – Grade III (P2) [KYO]
GP Race #7 7f Dirt Graded Stake
Purse $125.000 For Fillies Three Years Old.

Mark my words this race is a serious KYO qualifier and there will be a good few stakes winning fillies come out of this race. Quality, mixed with promise, mixed with potential stars this is a race to watch a few times.

1 Siouxbiscuit Mb Stables Silvera Ru 121 —

Flew home in the Santa Ynez to be second after a slow start and as we all know now with the race engine adjusted that shouldn’t be a problem today. She will however have to hold her place after the start with this inside draw, something that hasn’t been easy to do. The winner of the FL Sire Stakes – Susan over this trip before that it is clear these seven furlongs suits and that is an important fact with this trip. I guess it comes down to what the new race engine does with her, mid-pack a few lengths back and i think she can finish over the top of them but if she has to be pushed to hold the rail then she may find trouble.

2 La Roo Our Athletes Velazquez J R 121 —

Came late to be beaten by Siouxbiscuit in the Susan but got her revenge over a longer trip in the My Dear over a longer trip. She was outpaced early and disappointed in the Golden Rod last time out but like Siouxbiscuit will appreciate this new engine and the more equal starts so i am not sure we have to worry about that last start. The trip is a question mark though, she certainly seems to prefer further but being fresh up it may be OK. Certainly, in this with one or two question marks.

3 Celine D J C Racing Stables Ferrer J C 121 —

This is a filly with plenty of form and she certainly looks a contender in a tight looking race. On speed in the Santa Ynez she just faded a little at the end following a very strong early pace, ending up fifth but not far behind Siouxbiscuit. She showed in the Mazarine BC Stakes previously when second that the trip wasn’t the reason, she weakened a little and she had in fact won over this trip when the pace was more even when she took the Golden State Juvenile. She has a good draw to sit just behind them here and with the unlikely repeat of a very fast pace i think she has a good winning chance.

4 [Rename1644] Aer Stables Talamo J 121 —

Took the Shadywell in the mud and was then an encouraging fifth in the Sham Stakes. Must have a chance from a stable that can turn out winners.

5 Chrystal Cave Maletto Pennington F 121 —

I think this trainer is going to have their best season ever after a great start and now this one who has a great chance of carrying on that start. After 4 wins on the dirt including a couple of state bred stakes races, she managed to somehow get into the BC Juvenile Fillies Turf without a single turf start. She actually ran pretty well from a wide draw, on pace and then fading into eighth. Back to her favored surface in her last two she won the Parx Futurity last time in a dead heat over this trip, so you have to put her in here with some sort of chance.

6 Wyldewood The Freakshow Elliott S 121 —

You have to respect a filly that has won three in a row and with the last one at stakes level that gives her even more prowess on the form front. A really nice sprinter with a good finish and decent early pace the only question here will be this seventh furlong but she has been strong at the end of six so it shouldn’t be a major problem. I am liking this one who has a lot of scope and speed and that may be important with this new race engine.

7 Spring Street High Voltage Hernandez J J 121 —

Three start and a win last time at maiden level, her form is decent but the thing that stands out for me here is her last work over this trip. A very strong 1.23 and 1 puts her among the better workers at this stage of the year and with a sub 59 pre-race work you have to say she has bags of potential. For me she is the dark filly in the race and could be a surprise package to the high achievers around her.

8 Fire Artiste Alydar Stables Gonzalez Al 121 —

Another one in a really nice field with plenty of promise. She stepped up to stakes grade last time when making all to win the Glitter Woman but like a couple of others the big question will be her ability to see out this seventh furlong. her works are good without being outstanding but that isn’t a huge problem these days along with the draw which would’ve been a bit sticky under the old engine. Yet another winning chance.

9 Mirepoix Alabarda Stable Saez G 121 —

Behind La Roo and in front of Sioux Biscuit in the My Dear she made all the early running that day and only weakened close home. This trip should be ideal if she can get on speed again as she disappointed last time out when restrained, but it may be a tough ask from this draw with so many fast fillies in front of her. Another with the ability, this race will come down to a bit of luck and who gets the best trip.

10 Nebulistic Barcelona Farms Wilson E J 121 —

I had this filly marked as a superstar after her second up win in the FT Debutante and considering she has never had a draw since her debut win, she didn’t disappoint me after that. Her win in the grade one DMR Debutante was stunning and even with a terrible draw (again) in the BC Juvenile Fillies many had her marked as their winner. The engine seemed to beat her that day with nothing going right, and she ended up eighth in her first career defeat. If she is anywhere near the form, she showed before the BC she should win this, but she once again gets a terrible draw, and she may have to rely on luck and talent.

11 Apache Farm Riggins Racing Franco M 121 —

This trainer was one of the top players not so long ago but has been in the shadows for a while. Just recently the wallet has been opened and as you would expect of them, they have acquired a few very nice horses. This is certainly one of them but after her poor show in the BC she does have something to prove at this level. Taking out the BC though and a run on an off track she was second twice at graded level and should certainly come into calculations.

12 Unlike A Storm Arindel Ruiz Jo 121 —

Drawn in the car park this is the 12th filly that can boast form good enough to get into the finish here. Like most of the stable she hasn’t been left to rest and is one of the most experienced in the field with 8 starts. Four of them have been winning starts including a little state bred stakes race and whilst she doesn’t boast the form of some here, she is a filly with plenty of pace.

SUMMARY

Wow, what a field! There is so much potential here it is very hard to settle on one choice for the win. I have a ton of respect and admiration around Nebulistic so would have to go for her but there are 11 fillies and 9 with a better draw that could beat her.

Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES