Grade 2 Milady Handicap

Pay close attention, because this could be the last time we see Champion mare Zenyatta in anything less than Grade 1 company. The Grade 2 Milady Handicap didn’t come up very strong, with Life Is Sweet and Zenyatta being the only  notable runners. Both come from the barn of John Sheriffs and are late closers. I’m sure Sheriffs wanted to keep these girls apart, but this was bound to happen sooner or later. Let’s take a look at the field.

#1 Gambler’s Justice- This sprinting daughter of Lit de Justice is pushing it with the 8.5 furlongs distance. She has a win from four starts at the distance, but seems more optimal between 6 and 7 furlongs. Martin Garcia will be in the irons for trainer William Spawr. All in all I think she is too cheap to do much damage here.

#2 Taste’s Sis- She was a winner two back on the turf which seems to be her best surface. The daughter of Marquetry will be switching from Tyler Baze to Danny Sorensen which is a huge downgrade.  She is going to have to move up a ton to be competitive in this event.

#3 Allicansayis Wow- Trainer Patrick Biancone does well with horses from overseas, and was able to saddle this daughter of Street Cry to a win in her first US start. That win was the second of her career and came after clipping heels. The distance will not be a problem and she will be fresh. Joseph Talamo chose to retain the mount on her over another in this race. All systems are go!

#4 Dawn After Dawn- John Sadler and Joel Rosario are quickly becoming the Pletcher and Valazquez of the west. OK, maybe they arent quite that good, but I take notice when I see them team up. 4 of her 6 wins have come on the turf, so she is obviously at her best on that surface. She was most recently second in a Grade 2 on the turf at Churchill Downs on Kentucky Derby day. She seems to be improving, but I think place might be the best she can do in this one.

#5 Champagne Eyes- Doug O’Neill and Michael Baze will team up to bring this filly to the track. Her first race in over a year resulted in a win on April 11.  She went wire to wire in that race en route to a 93 BRIS figure. I expect her to vie with Gambler’s Justice for the lead. The daughter of Flatter could be any kind.

#6 Bel Air Sizzle- Barry Abrams will saddle this daughter of Unusual Heat. She will have the services of Rafael Bejarano who rode her to a second place finish in the Grade 2 Santa Ana Handicap the last time he rode her. She enters the race with a nice five furlong move, and if her turf form transfers to the main track she could be a force to be reckoned with. I don’t think she can win, but hitting the board is certainly possible.

#7 Life Is Sweet- This daughter of Storm Cat is impeccably bred. She is finally coming into her own and has won three races in a row, including the Grade 1 Santa Margarita Handicap. If Zenyatta is a little rusty she has the best chance to capitalize. She fired a nice six furlong work in 1:12 1/5 H on May 17. If your a fan of this one, you probably wont get a better price on her than you will here any time soon.

#8 Hot N’ Dusty-Yet another runner who is clearly better on turf. The daughter of Unusual Heat is the second runner from the Abrams barn and will have Alex Solis as her pilot. Her last 6 starts have resulted in five runner up finishes in mostly allowance company. She may be able to find a spot on the board with a little luck.

#9 Zenyatta- Some argued she should’ve been Horse of the Year in 2009 after taking the Grade 1 Breeders Cup Ladies Classic. She had to settle for Champion Older Female, which isn’t too bad! In terms of figures, she towers over the field. I’m not too worried about the seven month layoff because she won on extended rest in the past and is working well. Mike Smith is easily one of the best jockeys in the United States and will give her a hell of a ride. I don’t see her losing here.

1st- Zenyatta

2nd- Champagne Eyes

3rd- Life Is Sweet

Plays:

$20 EXACTA Zenyatta/Champagne Eyes, Life Is Sweet