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Millionaire Stables Looks for Repeat in Gardenia
By
McDuffy
Aug 14, 2009,
8:05:45 AM
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August 15th, 2009 Ellis Park Race # 11 Post: 15:30
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ELP 11 Gardenia Handicap ( Gr. III )
$100.000 Fillies and Mares Three Years old and up 1 Mile Dirt
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First run over a distance of a mile and an eighth in it first two events, the running of the Gr. III Gardenia Hdcp was shortened to a mile in 2005, and has continued at that distance ever since. Quickest time for the mile distance was set be Harris Racing's Maxim in 05, with a time of 1:36.73 She would go on to win three more Grade two events, and then take four straight Gr. I affairs as a four year.old while under the excellent tutelage of Team 7 Illusions . Jockey R Bejarano is a two time winner of the event.
Last years winning trainer was Millionaire Stables with Spadesthyname, who was four lengths out at the three quarter mark of the race, and closed big down the lane to win by a length. This season, the owner has placed his trust in a four year old bay by the name of Better Miss who is coming off three straight Allowance company victories since being claimed for $18.000 from Alydar Stables back in April.
Six other horses and trainers will be looking to stop the repeat win here on Saturday, and a closer look at the field should provide us with a top three combination;
Wynnless in her four starts this year, she has been competing at this level with consist money grabs in her last three events. Has been in the money nine out of ten events going long, and that should deserve a second look. Has been away from the action for 56 days, and her works have been on the improve slightly. Will need a fading class late to get a win. Minor share.
Has only gone long three of her twelve starts, and that has produced just a place finish. Can flash some speed upfront, and it should be interesting to see what instructions her trainer sets for this event. Did have a nice effort to close out last season at HOL for a mile, but that came on the turf, and she has yet to go long on the dirt. Will need one to see her potential being away for 86 days. Not to my liking.
Is coming off an Alw28.5 victory down at LS going a mile and a sixteenth, and only managed a third place finish two starts ago against OpClm12.5 company. Did compete as a juvenile in the Gr. III Pocahontas where she finished second, but her ability has been lacking of late. Will definitely be in against some speedier company today, and she may not respond down the lane. Chances are slim today.
Is coming off back to back victories in Alw37 and Alw71.9 events with mirror times of 1:37 and two for the mile, and that should give her a slight advantage against some of these today. Trainer seems to have her back on her game since claiming her four starts ago, and this distance is definitely to her liking. In the hunt today.
This late bloomer has just three starts this season, but she has produced two wins and a show, with the victories coming on off tracks at Finger Lakes. Is returning in just fifteen days from a mile and an eighth event over a muddy surface, and that may have taking a bit out of her to be returning so soon. Her sire HRP-Nearco is known for producing a winning line of foals, but the turn around has me a little cautious. You decide.
Though she has yet to be tested at this level of competition, this four year old bay has already won five of her six career starts, and is coming off four straight victories. A nice claim down at LS, she has steadily been improving her speed figures as well as her SRF numbers with each race. Her 1:36 and one time for the mile at CD last time by has me giving this one the nod. Contender.
With four wins and two seconds in six starts this year, this sophomore has yet to tackle the longer distances. Has been showing some brilliant late kick in her last two minor stakes events, winning her most recent $25 Anderson Memorial Cup. Another in here who has yet to compete at this level, she could surprise the field with a stunning late kick in the final furlong. Dont discount too early.
Duffers Picks
6- Better Miss..............Improving effort should give her trainer a repeat win in this event.
4- Cracked Actor.........Is definite on her game and should have a say in outcome.
7- Elizabeth Swann......Late kick will have her charging at the wire today.
From Trackside
I'm Mc.D.
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