My preview for Saturday’s Albany Stakes did not go according to plan, but congrats to Mikes Tiznow for making it back-to-back Albany wins. A lot of credit goes to his trainer Andy Mathis for having him ready to fire off the year-layoff. That race taught me a valuable lesson that there is a big difference between speed and 5f turf sprint speed. Now we move onto Sunday’s feature, the 75k Golden Poppy Stakes. It is for Fillies and Mares 3yos and Up going 1 1/16m on the turf course. It goes as race 8 and has a post time of 4:03pm.
#1 Meal Ticket (Chew/ Desormeaux): Daughter of Malibu Moon has knocked heads with some of the top turf fillies on the west coast over the past few years (inc Vasilika and Keeper Ofthe Stars). You can draw a line through her last start as it was on dirt, she is clearly a better horse on the grass. She hasn’t been at her best in her last few starts, but could be sitting on a good one as this is her 3rd start of the year. Is taking the blinkers off today, probably hoping it can wake her back up. Will be taking back early and trying to make a run late.
#2 Morning Cynn (Badilla/ Lopez): Whenever you see a filly turf stake in Northern California, you know that trainer Manny Badilla is going to have a strong hand– this race is no different, as he has 3 runners in the field. Morning Cynn has really come around since breaking her maiden for 25k back in November. She has advanced through her conditions, and was last seen running a close 2nd by 3/4 of a length to Ziarah on the tapeta. She set the pace, and got ran down late in her first try routing. Would expect her to be on the lead in here. First try on turf, but her pedigree doesn’t scream turf at all as she is by Paynter and out of a Curlin mare. Badilla is 28% 2nd off the layoff.
#3 Desert Oasis (Drysdale/ Gonzalez): Is coming off a strong 2nd behind the talented stakes winner Dogtag in a 2nd level Allowance at Santa Anita. She started her career in France and did not show a ton of form, but once she got to North America she began to flash some ability. Has 2 wins and a 2nd from her last 3 starts. She seems to be on the improve heading into this one. Has a bit more speed than the form shows, and I would expect her to grab a nice spot on the rail in 3rd or 4th early on. Will try to get the jump on the closers.
#4 Ziarah (Badilla/ Alvarado): Coming into this one in good form, as she was able to run down loose leader Morning Cynn last time out. She finished up really well at the end of that race and would have to think she should be fully cranked for this one 2nd off the layoff. It does seem like she is a little bit better on the tapeta, but some of her prior turf races do fit here. Think she will be stalking the pace early in 3rd or 4th. Badilla is 28% 2nd off the layoff.
#5 Wicked Old Fashion (Trujillo/ Martinez): Has been a model of consistency over the years and seems to alway put in a good effort. She has hit the exacta 11 out of 13 times over this Golden Gate Fields turf course. If she can run back to her Kathryn Crosby Stakes win back in November (Del Mar), then she will have a shot in here. Last out she ran against the boys in a 12.5k Starter Allowance– that day she was stuck behind a very slow pace and finished up well to be 2nd. Should get a more favorable setup in here. Will be taking back and trying to pick up the pieces late.
#6 Blue Diva (Tamayo/ Hernandez): Won the Miss America Stakes back in November and will be looking for her 1st stakes win on the turf. She last ran in February, where she beat an open Allowance field on the tapeta. Is making her first start for trainer Isidro Tamayo, who is a strong 21% with new acquisitions. Getting leading rider Juan Hernandez aboard is a sign of confidence. She is only 1 for 5 lifetime on the grass, but does have some competitive speed figures over the surface. Is going to take back early and flash her strong turn-of-foot late.
#7 Boundforjamaica (Trujillo/ Antongeorgi): Pulled off a huge upset last time out at 56/1 in a 1st level Allowance race sprinting on the main track. She has shown success on the turf, but is stretching out to 2-turns for the 1st time in her career. Should have no trouble getting the distance based on her pedigree– she is by Drosselmeyer and out of a Dehere mare. Should show some early speed on the stretch-out and I think she is going to be sitting just off of Morning Cynn. Speed figurea are on the slow side, and she is going to need to step up. Bit of a wildcard.
#8 Sloane Garden (Badilla/ Frey): Had a very nice win in a 1st level Allowance over the turf course on May 23rd– she unleashed a strong rally after settling well behind a slow pace. Is taking a class jump up to stakes company. The outside post shouldn’t be a problem as there is plenty of time to get over before the first turn. Her last race was her first start on turf since coming to North America, and it is by far her fastest. She has a shot, especially if they go fast early. Is going to take back and make one run. Badilla is 28% 2nd off the layoff.
Pace Scenario:
Morning Cynn will likely be sending from the inside and I think Boundforjamaica is going to sit pretty close to her early on. Desert Oasis and Ziarah should be in a good stalking position behind the 2 leaders. Wicked Old Fashion and Meal Ticket are going to be the next 2. Blue Diva and Sloane Garden will most likely be at the back. The pace should be somewhat honest in this race.
Selections: 3-6-8-4
#3 Desert Oasis (6/1): A filly that is on the improve. Kept good company down south. Should sit a nice ground-saving trip.
#6 Blue Diva (7/2): Has the class. Prior turf races fit in here. Goes out for strong connections.
#8 Sloane Garden (8/1): Showed big improvement on the turf last time out. Has a strong turn of foot.
#4 Ziarah (3/1): Liked the way she finished up her last race. Is she as good on the turf as she is on the tapeta?
NorCal Horse Racing News 