This is the only Grade 1 Race in North America this weekend. Seeing as how the Distaff division is very deep this year, I thought this race, being one of only a handful of Grade 1 races in the division, came up a little light. That said, all six entrants are graded stakes winners are two of them have already earned Grade 1 wins.
1.) Pink Sands: This Tapit filly is coming off back to back graded stakes wins at Gulfstream, where in both races, she went from last to first with a strong late kick. Both times, she also got a perfect set up with fast early fractions to close in to. In addition, it’s fair to say she has an affinity for the main track at Gulfstream, winning 4 of her 6 career wins there. While they were nice wins, she hasn’t been facing the caliber of fillies and mares some of the others have. I’m not completely sold she’ll be a factor at this level.
2.) Point Of Honor: I’ve been a big fan of this filly for a while now, as she tries to earn her first Grade 1 trophy. Last time out, in the 14 horse Apple Blossom, she was a bit flat-footed leaving the gate, which resulted in her getting shuffled to last. She closed a ton of ground, while going 6 wide on the final turn, to get up for third. You don’t see too many horses that make up 20 lengths from the first call to the finish. My concern is that this filly lacks that explosive kick. She’s more of a grinder, where she gets close, but needs things to shake her own way to win. If she can build off her last start though, she’s going to be tough.
3.) She’s A Julie: She won the La Troienne last year at Churchill, but after that race, she seemed a notch below some of the best fillies and mares in the country. I’m willing to forgive her start in the Shawnee last out, as she lost all chance at the break and nothing else seemed to go right for her. My concern is that, with the exception of her Grade 1 score, she doesn’t have many other races in her past performance lines to suggest she’s as good as the top fillies. I’ll pass on her.
4.) Blamed: This five year old filly has 9 wins in 14 starts, but lately, she’s been having trouble stringing together two good races in a row. She’s been pummeled in her last two starts in graded stakes company. I think she’s better at this type of distance, (one turn, 8.5 furlongs), as opposed to a shorter race. She is a definite pace factor in here, making life a little harder for She’s A Julie and Ollie’s Candy, but unless she’s able to shake free from them early without setting a taxing pace, I think she’s up against it today.
5. Ollie’s Candy: This is another horse that I have been high on for a while now. I loved the tactics by Rosario to send her aggressively in the Apple Blossom last out, and that resulted in her best career effort to date. Trying to put that race in perspective is a bit tricky though. Inside speed was good that weekend at Oaklawn, so that may have aided her effort a bit. On the other hand, she was dictating a pretty hot pace, and three others that were close to her early, were nowhere late. Today, she draws outside of other speed horses and has to prove she can win while shipping across the country. The morning line is 8-5, and I fear she’ll be bet down from that. It’s a tough proposition to take at a short price.
6. Golden Award: She is a multiple Grade 3 winner who was injured and didn’t finish in her only Grade 1 attempt. She is the only horse that has a win over this course, although that came maiden special weight company. I think Junior Alvarado should be able to orchestrate a dream trip, just off the speed, and poised to pounce as they swing off the turn. I imagine, she’ll offer decent value, as she’s a clear third choice on the morning line. I like her chances today.My Picks: 6-2-5