A spot in the Breeders Cup Filly & Mare Sprint is on the line in this year’s edition of the Grade 1 Ballerina Stakes from Saratoga. The 7 furlong race will be contested by seven entrants this year and they will compete for a purse of $250k.
The Ballerina has existed since 1979. Lady’s Secret who won the race in 1985 is easily the most notable among those that have visited the winners circle for this event. Her career included 25 wins from 45 starts with career earnings of $3,021,325. Two of her most memorable wins came in the Whitney Handicap and Breeders Cup Distaff.
Enough about the past. Let’s talk about the present.
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#1 Hour Glass (Petionville x Suzanna Anna by Tale of the Cat) Todd Pletcher trained filly has not won since the 2010 Vagrancy Handicap. Her latest performances are lacking. She will have to move way up to win this. Despite that, I’d hate to leave a Pletcher horse off my Pick 4 and then lose. John Velazquez is listed to ride.
#2 Tamarind Hall (Graeme Hall x Turner’s Hall by Forest Wildcat) She surprised most people when she burst through to win by just over 5 lengths last out in the Bed O’ Roses Handicap. The second place finisher in that race, Kid Kate, returned to beat a good field which included next out winner Buckleupbuttercup. The filly was risked for $15k in April which is almost unheard of in this sport. Her record of 3 wins from 5 races combined with strong works and great recent form make her a threat. Don’t worry about class. She has proven herself. JJ Castellano will get a leg up to ride.
#3 Hilda’s Passion (Canadian Frontier x Executricker by El Prado) What happened last out in the Bed O’ Roses? She might have just been having a bad day. Before that she cruised in the Vagrancy before coming up short against Sassy’s Image in the Humana Distaff. She faced a torrid pace that day which probably did her in. If she runs her best race the filly will be ridiculously hard to beat, but can we count on her to do that? Price is not likely like to be commensurate with the risk, but a huge chance to win for Todd Pletcher nonetheless. JJ Castellano will be in the irons.
#4 Bronx City Girl (Yankee Gentleman x Carsona by Carson City) Martin Wolfson trained filly appears to be over matched here. She was second by a head in a minor stakes race at Monmouth last out. Julien Leparoux will pilot her.
#5 Devil by Design (Medaglia d’Oro x Beauty’s Due by Devil His Due) Won a Grade 3 on July 3 at Arlington in her first race since November. That was her best race yet, so maybe the light has come on. Even if it has she will have to step up. Top jockey and sprint specialist Corey Nakatani retains the mount.
#6 Tar Heel Mom (Flatter x Perpetual Light by Sunny’s Halo) I adore this filly and have followed most of her career. She is a winner of 11 races from 27 starts including a last out win in the Honorable Miss Handicap where she blew the competition off the track. She has won 2 of 3 against Hour Glass and split races with Hilda’s Passion. She is still at the top of her game despite being 6. Alex Solis will continue to ride.
#7 Sassy Image (Broken Vow x Ideal Image by Hennessy) She’s been a new filly since an operation and time off earlier this year. Her win streak stands at 3 and began with an easy win in the Humana Distaff. She also took the Winning Colors and Princess Rooney. Given her current form she could be very tough to hold off in the lane. Robby Albarado gets the mount back after winning the Humana Distaff with her the last time they hooked up.
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