Compact field of five, three year old fillies go to post in this turf contest. All five own at least one win in stakes company. Note that this race has been shortened this year to one mile instead of the usual 9 Furlongs.
1. Speaktomeofsummer: This daughter of Summer Front is undefeated in two grass starts, winning both by open lengths. She encountered a bit of early trouble in her turf debut at Monmouth, but she settled in and was clearly the best. In her next start, she closed from the back of the field with an impressive kick in the Chelsey Flower at Aqueduct. She’s been on the bench since November and is facing four rivals that are probably more talented than any of the foes she has defeated so far. The lack of pace in front of her is my main concern, although making her first start of the year on the first day of summer could make her a good hunch play.
2. Sweet Melania: Once Pletcher moved this daughter of American Pharoah to the grass, she became a different animal. She just missed in the PG Johnson and romped in the Jessamine last year. Her third place finish in the Breeders Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf looks even better now as Sharing has come back a winner at 3. She has enough speed to keep Antoinette honest or take the initiative herself in a race devoid of early speed. Like the one horse, she too, has been away since November. I think she’s got a good chance, but I don’t think there’s much value here if she goes off at her 7-5 ML. She is the most accomplished, but there’s not much separating this quintet.
3. Highland Glory: She is a full sister to multiple stakes winner, Highland Sky. She was the beaten favorite in the Honey Ryder last out at Gulfstream, while encountering a bit of an eventful trip. Prior to that, she was seen winning the Sanibel Island. Franco rides for the first time as he and Tagg hope to have a big day when they team up with Tiz The Law in the Belmont. I get a little nervous taking horses that excel on the grass at Gulfstream at short prices when they ship elsewhere. However, she’s been a tough customer, and her adverse trip last out should only help to continue her development.
4. Antoinette: Her first two career starts came on turf, breaking her maiden in her second try. Mott have her a shot against stakes foes in the Tepin at Aqueduct. She won that race, in spite of it being switched to the main track. Her effort there was enough to get her connections thinking about possibly getting on the Kentucky Oaks trail. Her third place finishes in the Fair Grounds Oaks and the Gardenia at Oaklawn showed that she has progressed from two to three. Based on the fact that Mott started her career on turf, I suspect grass may be her preferred surface. She has the potential to get loose on the lead if Ortiz sits back with Sweet Melania. I think she’s worth a long look at her 6-1 morning line odds or better.
5. Selflessly: She broke her maiden in her second career try in the Miss Grillo at Belmont in the fall. She drew a tough post in the Breeders Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf, and managed to be 5th despite being a bit wide on both turns. Even with post 13, I thought she had a pretty good trip, and if she was a better horse that day, she would have been closer to the winner. Chad Brown has had a lot of success getting his horses to fire fresh off layoffs and she certainly could have developed well this winter and spring. I think she’s got a shot, but to me, 5-2, offers little value. For me to play her, I need her closer to 5-1 or better.
My picks: 4-2-3