The Phipps Stakes – GI [BC]
6/6/20
BEL Race 7 1 1/16M – Dirt
Purse $700.000
Four Year Olds and Up Fillies and Mares
One of the best race on the entire weekend right here as it has the best filly and mares in the Distaff division. So many good horses in this race and they are all vying for a spot in the Breeders Cup Distaff later this year. Let’s look at the field.
1. Cardi B (17-6-2-5 $1453.800), trained by Fractious
Multiple graded stakes winner and her first start for trainer Fractious in her last start she won. She is a very talented filly and should be very tough if she can work out a trip from this inside post.
2. Cannolo (14-4-2-3 $1201.100), trained by Mb Stables
Another grade one winner and she has been there and done that with many battles with most of the field. She was second in the La Troienee in her last start and ran very well. Definitely talented enough to win this spot also.
3. Spicy Poke (14-4-4-2 $460.600), trained by Estero Farms
Also coming out of the La Troienee but she did not run well at all that day and ended up finishing ninth. She may be the speediest in here and she usually is up near the lead. Needs a slower type of pace to have a shot of hanging around.
4. Pure Addiction (11-4-2-0 $276.060), trained by TwinTowers Racing
Next up one of the few that has never really been tested that many times at this level but she was second in the Apple Blossom in her last start. She will have to run near that level to even be close with these runners.
5. Camp Hollywood (18-5-3-3 $1995.240), trained by John Henry
A former Breeders Cup winner here but she has never really gotten back to her two year old form. Since getting to this barn no run from her at all in two starts. She has the capability of winning but not sure if she is anywhere near her best.
6. Out And Bad (21-8-2-3 $1072.900), trained by Night Rider Stables
And once again another graded stakes winner here but this filly does seem to be a better sprinter. She was barely beaten in the Humana Distaff in her last start. She is very talented but I think this is just a hair of her best distance.
7. Commanding Lady (15-4-1-0 $181.720), trained by Chili King Stables
Well here is one in the field that we have finally come across that I really cant make a case for. She has been beaten soundly by a few of these already and she just looks to be outclassed in here to me.
8. Class Status (10-5-3-1 $426.450), trained by Team 7 Illusions
Coming into the race off of three straight wins is this one right here but she is also one that I think may be better sprinting. She did win at a mile but her best work has been done going short. May be out of her range distance wise.
9. Z Command (18-8-3-3 $3062.200), trained by Smokey Stover
The queen of racing is back again and ready to try and tack on yet another grade one win. She has won six of her last seven including a Breeders Cup Distaff in that run. She is definitely the horse to beat in here.
10. Harsh (26-9-2-3 $643.240), trained by Mb Stables
Another Mb Stables runner here and this filly ran a bad eighth in the Apple Blossom in her last start. She did not run well at all that day and she does not seem like she can beat these in my opinion.
11. Golden Hour (17-5-4-0 $272.620), trained by D J C Racing Stables
Well I think that this may be another runner who is better at sprinting distance but with the purse and prestige of this race it’s worth taking a shot. I do not see her being much of a factor unless she runs the race of her life.
12. Totally Baroque (14-3-3-2 $1141.240), trained by Aer Stables
Yet another horse coming out of the La Troienee and she ended up being the third place finisher that day. She is a nice filly who seems to be in good form but not sure if she is quite at the level to win this race.
13. Wolfslayer (24-5-8-3 $1129.500), trained by Maxmillion Farm
Last but not least and here we have the winner of the common Apple Blossom where she simply cruised to an easy win that day. Very bad post for her but her best puts her in the mix at least.
Summary
Obvious who the clear cut choice to win this one is to me at least and that has to be Z Command who just seems to dominate this division. She is not unbeatable though and a few could spoil the party. Good luck to all in the field.
9-2-1-13
Categories: STAKES ARTICLES