Pucker Up Stakes – Grade III
ELP Race #9 1 1/8m Turf Graded Stake
Purse $400.000 For Fillies Three Years Old.
1 Wonderful World Smokey Stover Corrales G 122 —
After a grade one win as a two-year-old and a fair run in the BC Juvenile Fillies Turf, it looked as if after a win in the Sweetest Chant on her debut as a three-year-old that she would take the turf division by storm. That dream however has been a little tainted in her last three efforts which saw her beaten in an optional claimer last time out. It can happen that these good juveniles can get a stall in the improvement curve at three and that seems to be the case with her. Her two most recent works however have been pretty strong for a three-year-old filly and I am thinking that she may just be back on the up.
2 Little Stinker TwinTowersRacing Geroux F 122 —
Has only won the one race, a maiden back in March, but she has looked good enough since then to be a contender here. A good fourth in the Giants Causeway after that maiden win and then a strong third in the Wonder Again certainly stamped her as an above average one race winner, but she disappointed a little last time and that threw a few question marks. She has the speed to find the stalk from this draw and will certainly be running a race, where that sees her finish though is a conundrum only 15.30 will l tell us.
3 Strawberry Shortcake Rock Creek Gutierrez Mario 122 —
Certainly, an improver since being beaten and claimed in a $2.5000 claimer at FON, it does look like she has a mountain to climb with this massive rise in class. It is that time of year though when form tends to turn upside down and with a strong recent work, she may be a chance to spice up the exotic bets.
4 Gormley Royalty Stables Graham J 122 —
A five-race winner, she had won three in a row including the grade two Wonder Again beating Little Stinker before running down the field in the BEL Oaks. Back in trip today may be the key as is her ability to run on an off track. She could be the one to upset Wonderful World.
5 Pragmatic Mb Stables Prat F 122 —
Well, there aren’t many stakes races without an Mb horse with a big chance and this is no exception. Like Gormley, she had won three in a row going into the BEL Oaks and whilst she beat that filly in the race, she could only finish sixth. Clearly a decent sort, I would expect her to make the outside gate count and lead, and she may take some catching.
SUMMARY
There are a couple of scenarios here with Pragmatic getting an easy lead and dictating a tactical race, and Wonderful World coming off her back and running her down. The fly in that ointment maybe Gormley and that looks like a decent shot at top three.
Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES
