7.05 Santa Anita
Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (Grade 1) (Dirt) (Class
1) (2YO only)
Winner $1,144,200
Advice: 1 pt win She’s a Tiger (4/1 general), 1 pt win Untapable (11/2 general)
Artemis Agotera: Looked a special horse when crushing
opposition at Saratoga on debut (won by 11 lengths on the bridle) and did
nothing to take away from that impression when winning Frizette Stakes at
Belmont, tracking the pace before striking on in stretch and having in the end,
plenty in hand over Spinaway Stakes winner Sweet Reason, who had a nightmare
trip; That said, nothing to take away from her win and inside post draw could
be a serious help and must be respected.
Rosalind: Well back early and hung when asked for her effort
before doing all her best work at the finish when third to Utappable at
Churchill Downs on just second start; Again not fully straightforward when
second to My Conquestadory in Albicades Stakes at Keenland latest, hanging
before eventually closing for second; Not out of it with so much early speed
from out wide but hasn’t looked manourverable when it counts which is a worry.
Designer Legs: Awarded Adironack Stakes at Saratoga after
sustained stretch battle but couldn’t land a blow behind sweet Reason in the
Spinaway and behind Rosalind at Keenland latest; Others preferred.
Secret Compass: Didn’t have the pace to strike a blow when
well behind She’s a Tiger in the Debutante but that’ one’s decision to strike
on for home off blistering gallop 4 furlongs out saw her pick up the pieces to
land Chandelier Stakes over C&D last time for Bob Baffert; Has to be a
contender here on that effort and draw is very ideal for her to strike late
once again for all that she needed every last stride and will likely be reliant
on those upfront falling in the hole; Still, big player.
Ria Antonia: Beaten six lengths in the Frizette as a rank
outsider and hard to see any reason why she should be able to turn around that
form today.
Concave: Took the lead early, cruised along, and eventually
won readily over 5 furlongs at Hollywood to win maiden, and used that same
speed to win Sorrento Stakes with She’s A Tiger behind; Never looked like
confirming that form in Debutante Stakes on 4lbs worse terms even with the
advantage of a strong pace to benefit her;
Untapable: Pulled hard early, was green and had to be
switched wide but still had plenty in reserve to win the Pochahontas Stakes at
Churchill latest; Third Rosalind has since boosted the form, looks more than
capable of improving and more pace the better for this scopey sort;
Interesting.
Scandalous Act: Confirmed as Florida’s top juvenile filly; Rattled
up a hat trick at Calder, following same path that Awesome Feather took in 2011
before taking this; Not seen the best of her but worry that so much early speed
will be on for her to overcome in what’s obviously going to be a much tougher
contest; Bypassed.
Sweet Reason: Got herself detached in last place and was
shoved along to keep tempo on Saratoga debut but crushed opposition easily with
stretch move and even more impressive when destroying opposition in Spinaway
Stakes there by similar distance; Same tactics didn’t work when she went
sharply left and cost herself more than the winning distance at the start in
Frizette, going four wide around the turn and closing before exertions told and
she couldn’t pass Artemis Agrotera in the final run; Can play a big part today,
although wide draw presents awkward tactical dilemmas for Alex Solis and deep
stretch run another issue.
She’s a Tiger: Aggressive running filly who was done for
turn of foot by Concave in Sorrento Stakes but turned the tables on equal terms
when blazing a trail and lasting home in Debutante Stakes after sustained pace battle; Same tactics her
downfall in C&D trial for this when she got into pace battle from widest
stall early and struck on four furlongs before being collared by Secret Compass
in final stride; Clearly got top notch speed but the worry is that she’ll fall
in a hole again if exerting too much pace early; Could be the one to beat
however.
VERDICT: A race loaded with talent and possible scenarios,
especially with two of the favourites – infact arguably the leading East and
West Coast fillies – on the outside. There’s a school of thought that suggests
Sweet Reason and SHE’S A TIGER were the best horses in defeat to Artemis
Aregora and Secret Compass respectively last time, although deciding between
the four is made doubly hard given the difference in the post positions for the
quarter, while UNTAPABLE is sure to be finishing strong and may well have been
overlooked by many. It’s an extremely tough choice but if She’s a Tiger can
keep her main effort in hold until late on then she may be too quick to catch
for the rest. Untapable makes a lot of appeal with so much speed on the front
end.
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