September 24, 2015
The Grade I Beldame is named for the Horse Of The Year and Hall Of Fame entrant from the early 1900’s and as such, has been won over the years by a number of champions and Hall Of Fame entrants over the years, and stands as a true pinnacle of racing in the Distaff division. Victories by such early standouts as Gallorette, Next Move, Tempted and Cicada led to the likes of Gamely, Shuvee, Susan’s Girl and Desert Vixen making this a household name. More recently, Life’s Magic, Lady’s Secret, Personal Ensign, Go For Wand, Serena’s Song, Ashado, Havre de Grace and Royal Delta have all left their mark in a race that is as storied in history as any run in the United States today.
At HRP, the best of the best have taken down the Grade I Beldame, starting with Poisonessmonster in 2003 and followed up with Paris in 2004 and Darling Harbour in 2005, going back to back for owner Australia Wide. Blondeinabodystockin won the BC Distaff in 2007 after her Beldame win, while Shout was already a star when she won in 2008 before finishing second in the Distaff from post 14. Millionaire Heiress pulled the Beldame-Distaff double in 2011, Shadow Of A Doubt did it in 2013 and Stella Artois proved best last year as one of her six top-level wins. This year, two of the four entrants are Grade I winners already but none of them are giant killers and it will take a huge effort to win as half the field is still looking to secure their spot in the starting gate at KEE in a few weeks time.
1-Zero Hour (Four-year-old gray filly / Owner-Sanny Village)
Multiple Grade II winner Zero Hour probably had her biggest victory in the HOU Ladies Classic earlier this season and although she was great in the Obeah at DEL two back, her even effort against the best in the DEL Handicap is a bit of a concern and she will have to improve to win here, despite the smaller field. There is not a lot of early speed in this field and she might find herself on the engine and with the cutback to nine-furlongs, might have enough left in the tank to spring the upset if she gets soft splits.
Analysis-Needs to run back to her early season races
Fair Odds-10/1
2-Living Dead Girl (Four-year-old chestnut filly / Owner-Team 7 Illusions)
Purchased for $150.000 before her last start, Living Dead Girl proved best with blinkers in the Lighthouse at MTH and while that might have been a career-best effort, she will need to step up against tougher and prove that she belongs at the Grade I level. She likes to close from off the early pace and could get a nice set-up outside of the key runners, with owner Team 7 Illusions certainly capable of getting a horse ready for a big race like this, on the eve of the BC.
Analysis-Comes in off a solid win but needs more to win
Fair Odds-8/1
3-Years Go Bye (Four-year-old chestnut filly / Owner-D J C Racing Stables)
Years Go Bye is already a duel Grade I winner this season with wins in the Vanity and the Hirsch last time out but her efforts at BEL have not been her best and she is another whom will have to step up her game if she hopes to win this prestigious event. Already guaranteed a spot in the BC Distaff starting gate, she is looking to continue her great season with another top class win and if she can score here, it might make her the favourite at KEE over a very salty group of fillies and mares.
Analysis-Will be right there at the finish
Fair Odds-2/1
4-Little Jen (Four-year-old bay filly / Owner-Mb Stables)
Grade I winner Little Jen was good enough to finish third behind males in the Dandy last year, and has finished in the top three in all six of her starts this year, so winning the Beldame is certainly within her grasp if she can close into what could be a contentious speed battle up front. She was good enough to finish third in the Phipps and did well over this surface in the Acorn last year, and owner Mb Stables is going for a repeat in this event and that always bodes well when you are looking for someone who knows how to win big races.
Analysis-Has the right style to close into the pace
Fair Odds-5/2
Overall
A small but talented field of four goes to the post in the Grade I Beldame at BEL, as part of a blockbuster card of racing, and duel Grade I winner Years Go Bye trumps single Grade I winner Little Jen by the slimmest of margins, simply because she won over her rival last time out in the Hirsch at DMR. Look for Living Dead Girl to step up off her last at MTH and make a race of it late but ultimately fall about a length short of the top two when all is said and done.
Prediction
Win-Years Go Bye (2/1)
Place-Little Jen (5/2)
Show-Living Dead Girl (8/1)
Triple T Racing 🙂
Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES
