The Fox – Grade III
GP Race #4 1m InTurf Graded Stake
Purse $150.000 For Fillies And Mares Four Years Old And Upward.

1 Liberty Lake D J C Racing Stables Franco M 124 —

Proven at this grade, she may have only won four, but she is a decent type more than capable of winning this. She seems equally at home on dirt or turf, and I really liked her effort in the HOU Ladies Classic when making the running for much of the race and ending up fifth. That was a much better race than this but the thing that worries me is that that does seem to be her thing, go up on pace and then struggle a little at the end. She won’t want a battle at the end but if she can sneak away from them entering the straight, she will give a good sight.

2 Bubblegum Dreams Chili King Stables Husbands P 124 —

Lightly raced she was improving steadily for her previous owner before being claimed late last year. The new owner upped her in grade to an optional claimer at SA on seasonal debut and she made all for a very impressive win. Buoyed by that effort the new owner upped her again and went for the grade three Megahertz last time out, but she reversed her running style and ran from the back and did nothing in finishing eighth. I wonder whether that was just the horse lead anomaly choosing how the horse would run or a tactical decision by the owner, either way, I would say she needs to be up on the pace or leading today to have any real chance.

3 Be Exceptional TwinTowersRacing Geroux F 124 —

She looked like she was going to live up to her name when switched back to turf in December last year because she was a close third in the grade one Matriarch and looked to be finding her mojo. She followed that up with a fair run in the American Oaks but that run came quickly after her grade one effort and she may have just been feeling tired after a long season. She trounced a small field at FG on seasonal reappearance to prove she was in the winning groove, and she must be a big chance of following that up today.

4 Inquisition Arindel Lopez P 124 —

Certainly, the most accomplished in the field this six-year-old may not have been the force she was in her last few races, but it wasn’t so long ago she was nearly winning the KD Ladies Turf. Her works are still sharp and at her best she would trounce this field but there is always that nagging doubt she is coming to the end of her career. With seven wins in longer races, she also has shown enough speed to finish fifth in the BC Turf Sprint so whilst she may need things to go her way to last out the mile, she certainly has the credentials to run a big race.

5 Sneaky Panther Nakamura Stables Centeno D E 124 —

An improving filly she moved to this grade only recently winning the Valley View last October and then running a solid race in the grade one Matriarch. On the upgrade and running over the perfect trip watch for her powering home from midfield or a loose stalk.

6 Scalp Spankys Barn Gaffalione T 124 —

Consistent at this level for a long time she is never far away and is certainly up to this sort of level. A good second in the Megahertz on seasonal debut and working well she looks probably the safest bet in this race if you ignore the widish draw.

7 Categorical Destiny Mb Stables Velazquez J R 124 —

In the car park we find the Tropical Park Oaks winner who is having her first race of the year. She has been really consistent in her light career and has proved best in defeat when second in the JC Oaks and fourth in the SA Oaks last year. Her works are strong and if she is fit and well for her first run of the year she should cope with this wide draw.

SUMMARY

An interesting race and you have to like Categorical Destiny for this if she is race ready. If not, then Scalp will certainly be in the finish and Sneaky panther may be on the up. I will however go for Be Exceptional to win thanks to her nice draw and race fitness.

Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES