9/25/21
6 BEL The Athenia (GIII)
$200.000 3yo&Up F&M 1 1/8m innerTurf 3yo 120lbs Older 124lbs +penalties
The ladies will be headed to the inner turf course here in Elmont on Saturday and we look at the field of seven set to go a mile and an eighth in The Athenia (GIII). In all honesty, nothing jumps off of the page here but I’m going with the proven horse and will take Common Misconception at the top pick. She won the BC Juv Turf (GI) last fall, and has two other wins since then… six lifetime from eleven starts. Her last two have been less than thrilling, an eighth in the BEL Oaks (GI) and she beat two in the Beverly D (GI) at AP… but she has enough back class to make me give her the nod over this group. Let’s go right next door and put Rose Petals in the middle of it. She’s been sharp all season, and closed well to be the runner up in that stakes at SAR in her most recent, and she may be the horse to beat today.
It’s a wide open group so make your wagers early and let’s see who gets the job done.
Here’s The Field –
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Ete Creek | Gdp Inc | Moran D | 124 | 12/1 |
Has been on a steady diet of graded competition but hasn’t seen the winner’s circle since Feb when she took the Very One (GIII) at GP. She was second n the La Troienne (GI) at CD and fourth in the Glen Falls (GII) in her most recent trip to the starting gate. Her best would certainly put her in the mix.
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Common Misconception | Nakamura Stables | Bocachica A | 120 | 7/2 |
Two wins this season, and she was the BC Juv Turf (GI) winner last season, so there’s no explaining just how good she is. Kicked off the year with a win in the Herecomesthebride (GIII) and also the Wonder Again (GIII) over this track. It was wet that day, but she’s tough on any surface… give her a big look here.
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Rose Petals | Mb Stables | Davis D | 120 | 7/2 |
The big barn has another sharp one with this filly, and she’s only missed one check all year, her first start of the season. Since then, it’s been nothing but checks including a near miss in the Lake Placid at SAR, in her last trip to the track. She closed well in that one and I’d look for her in the late stages of this one as well.
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Catnip Crusader | Czech Out Farms | Ortiz I Jr | 120 | 8/1 |
She’s been tough all season, although she hasn’t been racing with the graded types. Four seasonal wins and she’s been real tough facing PA-bred foes. Can she handle the raise to the graded level? I guess we find out today.
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Saddle Up | Our Athletes | Hernandez R M | 120 | 5/1 |
Three wins on the season for this one and pair of those lead to this spot. A nice score vs. Alw horses at ELP and then her biggest win to date taking the VA Oaks at CNL in her most recent. She looks like a horse that is improving with every start and should be given a shot with these.
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Bagina | Chili King Stables | Prat F | 124 | 4/1 |
Only one seasonal win for the mare but she’s been close in a number of big races including runner-up efforts in the ET Mint Julep (GIII) at CD and in the Diana (GII) at SAR. She’s another that seems to run well on wet or dry grass, but that last place finish in her most recent is a bit of a red flag. Let’s see if she bounces back.
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Fancifully | Smokey Stover | Alvarado J | 124 | 6/1 |
Hasn’t missed the board all year showing a 2-2-2 record from her six starts, winning the Gallorette (GIII) at PIM and an Alw race in NJ, in her most recent. Winning two of her last three is certainly an eye opener, and I think you certainly have to use her on your exotic wagers.
COZMAN 2 / 3 Willie’s Green Card 2 / 7
Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES
