Personal Ensign Stakes

Personal Ensign (Grade 1) 8/22/08

#1 Ginger Punch (4-5)- Robert Frankel and Rafael Bejarano hook up to bring this defending Champion Older Female to the track. Her only loss this year came to the undefeated Zenyatta. She has been a heavy favorite in every race she has competed in this year. Her wins this year include the Apple Blossom Handicap, Ogden Phipps Handicap, and the Go For Wand Handicap, all Grade 1 events. If any of these fillies and mares want to win, they are going to have to go through Ginger Punch.

#1A Spring Waltz (4-5)- This is Robert Frankel’s other entry, and he will have his regular jock, Javier Castellano in the irons. She was a dull fourth last out in the Delaware Handicap. I can’t say for sure why she ran poorly, but my guess is she didn’t like the track. If you put a line through that race, she doesn’t look too bad in this spot. I think she will rebound with a nice on the board finish.

#2 So Glitzy (20-1)- Allen Jerkens and Cornelio Velasquez will bring this filly to the track for her first graded stakes attempt. This is a very ambitious spot for her. She defeated Hamsa by a nose last out in an optional claimer. Grade 2 winner Mushka was third in that race which was her first start of 2008. Her best hope for this race is a minor award.

#3 Lemon Drop Mom (12-1)- Tim Ritchey and Caraballo J C bring this filly to the races. She finished second last out in the Grade 2 Delaware Handicap, after attempting to go wire to wire. It appears that she relished the extra distance. She was the beneficiary of a slow pace last out, and she wont be as fortunate this time around with Ginger Punch in the field. This is a puzzling filly. I don’t think she can win this, but I wont be shocked if she hits the board.

#4 Indescribable (12-1)- Bill Mott and Kent Desormeaux bring this filly back for another Grade 1 attempt. She was the victim of an awful trip last out in the Grade1 Go For Wand, and was still making up ground late to finish third. I expect her to run much better today for several reasons. For one, the pace will be much faster which will help her because she is a closer. Also, I don’t expect her to encounter nearly as much trouble in this spot. My final reason is the added distance. She has won going away at 9 furlongs, so 10 furlongs should be even better for her. Look for her to run second, with an outside shot at the win.

#5 Unbridled Belle (9-5)- Todd Pletcher and Ramon Dominguez will saddle this filly. She couldn’t catch Hystericalady and Lemon Drop Mom last out in the Grade 2 Delaware Handicap. It was her second race since a layoff so we can forgive that performance. She was second in this race last year. While I’m not wild about her chances, the ability is certainly there. Don’t be surprised if this mare runs a huge race.

#6 Golden Velvet (8-1)- Kiaran McLaughlin and Eibar Coa saddled this filly to a distant second place finish behind Ginger Punch last out in the Ogden Phipps Handicap. She doesn’t look good enough to win this, but with a bit of luck she might be able to pick up third.

1st- Ginger Punch (4-5)
2nd- Indescribable (12-1)
3rd-Unbridled Belle (9-5)

Plays:

$1 Trifecta: (1/4,5/3,4,5,6)
$1 Superfecta: (1/4,5/3,4,5/3,4,5,6)