The ninth running of the six furlong Grade 3 Victory Ride Stakes for three-year-old fillies looks like a strong event. The race is named for 2001 Test Stakes winner Victory Ride.
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#1 Maple Forest (Forestry x Maple Syrple by American Chance) Todd Pletcher trained and Johnny Velazquez ridden filly won like a favorite should last out in a minor stakes at Monmouth Park. Before that she was a well beaten second behind the formidable Pomeroy’s Pistol. She has been pretty good at this distance with 3 wins from 5 starts and she does own a win over the track. Hard to count her out.
#2 Jealous Girl (Petionville x Isla Cozzene by Cozzene) Flopped miserably in the debut, but has done a total 180 since. The lass has won all 4 of her races since then and was an easy winner in all of them, including the Femme Fatale last out. Thsi will be her first try against graded horses, but her sharp figures should make her the favorite. Anthony Dutrow trains and Jeremy Rose is in to ride.
#3 A Z Warrior (Bernardini x Carson Jen by Carson City) Zayat owned filly was an easy winner in the Grade 1 Frizette last year, but has only raced twice since then with losses in the Breeders Cup Juvenile Fillies and the Santa Anita Oaks. Bob Baffert is the best shipper in horse racing and a turn back in distance could be just what this filly needs. She is training like a bear too. Expect a good price on a live filly. Martin Garcia is listed to ride.
#4 Oflee Wicked (Offlee Wild x Slews Majesty by Slew City Slew) Looks to be in too deep for trainer Kirana Mclaughlin. Former New Mexico based filly is very light in the speed figure department. Jose Valdivia will be in the irons.
#5 Funny Sunny (Sharp Humor x Sunny Laugh by Relaunch) Talented lass won her debut at Hoosier and then took an allowance by nearly 11 lengths in her third start. Last out she finished second behind the speedy filly Cascadilla Falls in a minor stakes race. Kent Desormeaux is set to ride for Bob Hess.
#6 Hot Summer (Malibu Moon x Summer Delight by Quiet American) David Fawkes trainee was asked to go too far last out in the Black-Eyed Susan where she was a well beaten third. Before that she won the Comely where future Grade 1 winner Her Smile was third. She is 2 for 3 at the distance with her only loss coming in the debut. Cornelio Velasquez picks up the mount for the first time.
#7 Precious Soul (Distorted Humor x Love That Jazz Dixieland Band) Couldn’t have won any easier than she did last out for H Allen Jerkens, a man that knows how to win at Saratoga. The only problem is that race was a non winners of 2 races lifetime event and two back she was beaten nearly 8 lengths by Valiant Passion. It gets worse too. Maple Forest finished over 15 lengths ahead of her three back. Jerkens is a guy you never want to count out, but this filly just looks inferior and has an ice cold jockey in Edgar Prado. They will have to hope that last work in :46 4/5 B means she has moved way up.
#8 Valiant Passion (Lion Heart x Bold American by Quiet American) Both of her wins have been romps at Saratoga. One of those wins was last out in her 2011 unveiling. That was a very bad group, but she won like a good thing. They might be asking a bit too much second off the shelf though. Julien Leparoux will ride for Graham Motion.
#9 Roman Treasure (Roman Ruler x Jeanne Jones by Nijinsky II) She backed off as the pace setter in the Test last out and the Prioress before that. Those were much tougher races and much tougher horses as a result. This class relief will do her some good. Ramon Dominguez will be in the saddle for Michael Husion.
#10 Moon Buzz (Malibu Moon x Buzz Song by Unbridled’s Song) Lass is a perfect 2 for 2, but against much easier competition at Fair Grounds and Hoosier. Runner up in the last returned to win. She’s got talent, but is she good enough? Steve Margolis trains and Shaun Bridgemahon will ride.
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