Ballerina Stakes 2011

9.38 Saratoga

Ballerina Stakes (Grade 1) (3yo+ Fillies & Mares) (Dirt) (3yo+) Winner £96,154

Advice: 1 pt win Sassy Image

Hour Glass: Winner of the  Vagrancy Handicap at Belmont (2010) but has found no success since, coming  runner-up to Secret Gypsy before being beaten further next time out; Beaten favourite over 6 furlongs latest.

Tamarind Hall: won four of her past five starts, topped by a dominating win in the Bed o'Roses H’cap, a race which was dominated by the blowout of Hilda's Passion, sent off a 3-10 favourite; Should go well here if able to run to that form.

Hilda’s Passion: Giving 4lbs to Sassy Image when beaten 3 lengths in the Humana Distaff (tried to make all) and much easier time of things in the Vagrancy when running out an easy winner; Blowout at 3/10 last time but training as if she’s over that and should make a bold bid to reverse form with Tamarind Hall.

Bronx City Girl: Second in the Charles Town Oaks and Regret Stakes last time but this a massive step up despite the low weight and interesting booking of Julien Leparoux.

Devil By Design: Returned form an 8 month absence to land the Chicago Handicap last time out at Arlington but has little other form worth taking about and in his contest likely to be outclassed.

Tar Heel Mome: Managed to dominate the pace and run 4 other rivals into the ground when taking the Honourable Miss handicap last time out; Has some decent claims here although pressure for lead (Hilda’s Passion has done so) a definite negative should that occur.

Sassy Image: The supposed class of the race & already a dual Grade 1 winner this year, having overcome a terrible trip which saw her upwards of 15 lengths off the pace to win the win the Princess Rooney Handicap at Calder last time out; Just a pound badly in with likely chief Rival Hilda’s Passion but the step back up to this trip should really suit and likely to take the beating.

VERDICT: It’s impossible not to be hugely impressed by SASSY IMAGE’S win last time out and with a better trip over a longer distance, she can take the beating. Hilda’s Passion can bounce back from a poor showing when last season, although Tamarind Hall could again run well while Tar Heel Mom should also go well.