Dear Readers,
The next
race on my list is the Grade I Ballerina Stakes, for three-year-olds and up,
fillies and mares going seven furlongs on the dirt course at Saratoga. Dance
to Bristol, a four-year-old by Speightstown,
a terrific racehorse who went to stud after winning the Breeders’ Cup Sprint in
2004.
The race itself was uneventful and Dance to Bristol got the perfect trip.
She did lug in sharply when the rider hit her right handed in the stretch, and
had to dig in hard to hold off the runner up by a head. I know Dance to Bristol in all her career has
only finished out of the money once and has now won seven in a row. But the way I see it, the majority of those
races were against easier company. The last three races have been in the best
of company, and she is obviously improving with age.
By winning
this race and the two races she competed in prior to the Ballerina Stakes, she has
put herself squarely in the mix for a run in the Breeders’ Cup Fillies and
Mares Sprint. But for me, I don’t see Dance
to Bristol winning the Breeders’ Cup Sprint, she’ll run her best, because
that is how this mare is wired, but her best doesn’t look like it will win
against the kind of company she will meet in the Breeders’ Cup.
Next were back
to York in the United Kingdom. The Group I Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes, five
furlongs on the turf for two-year-olds and up. That's right, two-year-olds and
up, go figure. Anyway...in a huge upset, Jwala, a four-year-old mare by Oasis
Dream beat a huge field filled with top notch talent.
This race
was another one of those run on a straight course, and this filly pinned her
ears and stuck with them all the way. When Jwala changed leads, she pulled in
front and it became obvious she wasn't going to get nipped at the wire.
Coming off
a last place finish in the August second Betfred King George Stakes, where her
connections said Jwala hit her head on the starting gate, and fractured the
bony structure of her eye socket. I would say that was more than a legitimate excuse
for a dismal race, and an opportunity for improvement.
However, I
find it stunning she could come back this quick and run such a stellar race
with a head fracture. I’m impressed with Jwala and I can only imagine how
good she’ll be in the future. I would love to see her connections bring her to
the Breeders’ Cup.
Finally for today, the Del Mar Handicap. A Grade II one mile
and three eighths turf race for three-year-olds and up. Vagabond Shoes, along
with Lucayan stalked the field from last
and next to last in the seven horse field. At the head of the lane, Vagabond
Shoes had the best of the going, while Lucayan was buried behind horses. When Lucayan
broke free it was a real horserace to the wire.
Vagabond
Shoes won on the day and if he goes up against Lucayan again, I would certainly
play an exacta box using those two. Great race, very exciting on what looked
like a dried up soccer pitch. Benoit Photo
You can barely see Lucayan behind Vagabond Shoes.
Take care,
Shelley Riley
www.shelleyriley.com
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