A star-studded cast of fillies and mares is set to clash in a brilliant renewal of the Grade 1, $750,000 New York Stakes at Saratoga.
Headlining the event is the formidable She Feels Pretty, a filly who has demonstrated a devastating turn of foot and enters the race as a prohibitive 3-5 morning-line favorite. Her last performance, a commanding victory in the Grade 3 Modesty, was a clear signal that she is at the top of her game.
However, this is no one-horse race. The eight-horse field is brimming with international talent and graded stakes-winning veterans looking to spoil the party.
Among the top contenders is Gimme a Nother, an undefeated star in her native South Africa who has run two excellent second-place finishes since arriving in the United States.
Also posing a significant threat is Bellezza, an Irish-bred filly who was a visually impressive winner in her U.S. debut and appears ready to take another step forward.
The Field
1. Forever After All (10/1) This mare enters off a career-best performance, capturing the Grade 3 Bewitch Stakes at Keeneland over a yielding turf course. The decisive nature of that victory raises the question of whether she has simply blossomed into a new horse or if she was aided by the soft going.
She does cut back in distance for this assignment, but she has a Grade 1 placing at a shorter trip, so the distance should not be an issue. She will need to prove her last race was no fluke against a significantly tougher group.
2. Immensitude (20/1) This French-bred mare has been knocking on the door in her two starts this year, finishing second to Beach Bomb and third behind Forever After All. Those efforts were her first following a nearly four-month layoff, suggesting she had a right to be a bit rusty.
She possesses enough tactical speed to secure a good stalking position and hails from the barn of Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott, who has won this race three times previously.
3. Gimme a Nother (7/2) A phenomenon in South Africa where she won all seven of her starts, including two Group 1 events, she has transitioned her form beautifully to the U.S. She has registered two strong second-place finishes in graded stakes, most recently chasing home She Feels Pretty in the Grade 3 Modesty.
Now making her third start off an 11-month layoff, she is eligible to reach peak fitness and could be ready to turn the tables on her rival.
4. Miwa (30/1) This filly made her U.S. debut at Keeneland in April and finished a non-threatening fourth. In her defense, the race came after a five-month break and was at a one-mile distance that is likely short of her best.
She should appreciate the stretch out to 1 3/16 miles, but she faces a monumental task in terms of class and must take a massive leap forward to compete with the top contenders here.
5. Edict (15/1) A Group 1 winner in her native Argentina, this mare made a fine first impression in the U.S. when she surged to the lead in the Grade 3 Beaugay only to be caught late, finishing second. That effort was her first in six months, and she now stretches out to a distance that should be more to her liking, having won twice at 1 1/4 miles in South America.
With that run under her belt and the addition of blinkers, she could be sitting on a big performance.
6. Bellezza (8/1) Her U.S. debut was a showstopper, as she rallied smartly to win the Grade 3 Sheepshead Bay in her first start in over five months. The victory earned a Beyer Speed Figure that is right on par with the best in this field, and an encouragingly fast workout since suggests she has continued to thrive.
The distance is no concern, and with natural improvement expected in her second stateside start, she is a serious threat to win right back.
7. Beach Bomb (10/1) A two-time Group 1 winner in South Africa, she has quickly made her mark in the U.S. with two graded stakes wins at Gulfstream Park this winter. She looked like a winner in the Sheepshead Bay last out before Bellezza ran her down in the final stages.
That race proved she is not dependent on a firm turf course, and her tactical speed allows her to make her own trip. She is a proven class act but must find a way to turn the tables on Bellezza while also dealing with the favorite.
8. She Feels Pretty (3/5) The deserving favorite, this filly is a Grade 1 winner who has developed a spectacular late kick that has seen her dominate her recent races. She enters off a powerful win in the Grade 3 Modesty at Churchill Downs, where she decisively defeated Gimme a Nother.
She has versatility and handiness that give her jockey options, and her workouts indicate she remains in peak form. While she faces a field of very good rivals and has little room for error, she is clearly the one they all have to beat.
Win, Place, Show, Wildcard, and Longshot
Win: (8) She Feels Pretty (3/5) – She is simply a class above this field right now. Her powerful closing kick is a weapon that seems unstoppable, and she already holds a victory over one of her main rivals. She’s the complete package and the most likely winner.
Place: (6) Bellezza (8/1) – Her U.S. debut was outstanding, and she is eligible to move forward significantly in her second start for a new barn. Her winning Beyer from the Sheepshead Bay puts her squarely in the mix, and she could give the favorite a real fight down the stretch.
Show: (3) Gimme a Nother (7/2) – A proven Group 1 talent, she has done nothing wrong in two U.S. starts. Making her third start off a long layoff, she should be at her absolute fittest and has the class to hit the board against the best.
Wildcard: (7) Beach Bomb (10/1) – With plenty of tactical speed, she is a threat to control the race from the front. She was only narrowly defeated by Bellezza last out after setting the pace. If she can get a comfortable lead and dictate the terms, she has the quality to take them all the way.
Longshot: (4) Miwa (30/1) – While she was never a threat in her U.S. debut, there are legitimate excuses. It was her first start in five months and came at a one-mile distance that is certainly short of what she prefers. With that race under her belt and a move to a longer distance, she is eligible to improve significantly at massive odds.
Be the first to comment