Cardinal – Grade III
CD Race #5 1 1/8m Turf Graded Stake
Purse $300.000 For Fillies And Mares Three Years Old And Upward.
1 Inquisition Arindel Gutierrez Mario
This filly has been very busy with 30 races under her belt and 20 of those paying a cheque. She won the Dance Smartly in July and ran well to be fourth in the Rodeo Drive so is right up there in the fillies ranks. She was impressive last time in a KEE Allowance and coming from a stable that has risen quickly in the ranks she must be a live chance of adding to their impressive record. After a couple of recent dirt works i was wondering whether we would see her take on the dirt this time but she has been kept to her stakes winning surface and looks to be in good enough form.
2 Zalinda Threshold Lezcano J
A consistent mare she did well to take the Waya last time and has always been a consistent type so should be thereabouts again today from this nice draw. Lezcano retains the ride and she will be ready to run.
3 Twisted Express Mb Stables Saez L
Another that has been busy and rarely misses out on a cheque her last two starts have seen her second in the KY Ladies Turf and the Noble Damsel so she is right on the cusp of a good win and it could easily be today. Her works are strong for the end of the season and she returns to the trip which saw her win the grade one DMR Oaks last year.
4 Demanding Commander Hippyheart Velazquez J R
I think we can safely say that if it rains she will probably win as her last two starts on a wet track have seen her impressively win the FL Oaks by no less than six lengths and the grade two Wonder Again. She has form on a dry track so wouldn’t be out of it with the 2Lb allowance if it stays sunny but i think she is two or three lengths better on an off track.
5 Time And Again TwinTowersRacing Franco M
The stable has been in great form this year and gets another chance at a good prize with this tough three year old that was a grade one winner last time. That win came in the QE II where she flew home from the back after a HRP special race that was affected by a crazy fast instruction. Before that win she was OK but it was clear the race engine played into her court that day and she will have her work cut out to repeat the win. Having said that her works with a 2Lb advantage are good enough and she is clearly in a great frame of mind.
6 Festive Sunset Maxmillion Farm Gonzalez Ru
Out in the cheap seats we get a very interesting entry from the turf king. Only time will tell but we will either see this router turned sprinter use the gate and rush to a lead setting fast fractions and hoping the race engine lets her stay there or we will see her ridden with some restraint to use her speed late. The turf king knows what they are doing and i am sure they will chose right.
SUMMARY
Only six but an interesting contest and one that is actually pretty hard to settle on a winner. A lot will depend on scenario’s here, firstly if it rains then Demanding Commander could well win, if its a muddling pace then Inquisition could well win and if Festive Sunset is set to game the race engine then she could win. There are three more chances here and many other scenario’s so you just have to pick one and hope your number comes up.
Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES
