Before studying the pp�s, I wasn't looking forward to this race, because I expected it to be a walkover for the short-priced Stardom Bound. After studying it, however, I see real opportunity here to beat the favorite, who is legit but vulnerable, given her come-from-the-clouds style. Win contenders abound:
*Persistently didn't like running on the rail in her last, and she only found her best stride when she was swung outside late. With a clean run (a big question mark given her style), she has a shot. Her win in the Matron earned the fastest T-Graph fig of any filly in this race.
*Sky Diva: On the sheets, she's faster than Stardom Bound. She�s a major player if she takes to the synthetic surface.
*Van Lear Rose: Also faster than Stardom bound on the sheets. She handled the Woodbine poly-surface with aplomb; now it's just a question of class. Do note that Southern Exchange, a well-regarded Woodbine colt, recently held his own in the Del Mar Futurity against the likes of Midshipman and Street Hero, so it's not implausible to think that a fast Canadian horse could transfer her form even in deeper waters.
*Doremifasollatido: Very fast (yes, faster than Stardom Bound on the sheets), but the surface change and terrible post make her tough to back with confidence.
*C.S. Silk: Ran her foes into the ground with blistering early foot in the Arlington Lassie, and a repeat of that race makes her very dangerous here at a big price. Her early Bris pace figs from that race -- 117 and 124 -- are reminiscent of the early figs Indian Blessing brought to this race last year. Huge shot if she takes to the Santa Anita surface. If she's anywhere near her 15/1 morning line, I'm all in.
Good luck to all!
This message has been edited by Photofnish on Oct 23, 2008 10:45 PM
Hey Lance, FWIW C. S. Silk is my play of the weekend. I had the pleasure of being at AP that day and her race was absolutely sensational, she's been training like gangbusters in since then and notice that Robbie A opts to ride her instead of Dream Empress who's M/L 3rd choice. I'll be playing her very aggressively one top and using Evita Argentina, Sky Diva, Palacio De Amor, Be Smart, and Stardom Bound to fill out the tris and maybe the supers if I'm feeling lucky....lol.