HRInsider
08-04-2007, 06:11 AM
Saturday, August 04, 2007
Dream Rush Up To Big Speed Test
Although three-year-olds, fillies don’t get the glamour normally reserved for colts in the sport. And while there might be more important races at this illustrious meet, The Darley Test at seven furlongs is one of my favorite Saratoga races.
That’s because the race is about speed and stamina.
The favorite has speed and she will be tested. But Dream Rush (2-1), winner of the Grade 1 Prioress in her last start, is not only a worthy favorite but she’ll be a tough out. And that’s because of the distance. Dream Rush’s best performance figure was earned while winning the G2 Nassau County at today’s trip. Nicely drawn in the center of a large field, that should give Eibar Coa options. While she’s best in front, she isn’t a strict need-the-lead type.
The main competition figures to come from Cotton Blossom (9-2) and Boca Grande (15-1). Neither filly can match her in the performance figure department (check out 12-1 Pha. Park shipper Akronism for that) but both figure to love this trip and each will benefit from strong fractions.
Cotton Blossom was a classy winner of the G1 Acorn at a mile then raced one-paced in the two-turn Delaware Oaks. Delaware can be quirky, but now she’s back at Saratoga where she has a (2) 1-1-0 slate and all that conditioning from both her recent starts. JR rides her regularly for Todd Pletcher.
Boca Grande has a pair of G2 victories to her credit and also has conditioning after racing evenly in both the G1 Acorn and Mother Goose most recently. While she doesn’t match up on figures, her close-up style is perfect for today’s conditions and Shug McGaughey has an excellent record in this race. The switch to Julien Leparoux just might suit this longshot filly perfectly.
Taking Dream Rush to win at 9-5 or greater, keying her first and second in trifecta boxes with Cotton Blossom, Boca Grande and the sharp, fast invader, Akronism.
by John Pricci | Executive Editor of HorseRaceInsider (dot) com
Dream Rush Up To Big Speed Test
Although three-year-olds, fillies don’t get the glamour normally reserved for colts in the sport. And while there might be more important races at this illustrious meet, The Darley Test at seven furlongs is one of my favorite Saratoga races.
That’s because the race is about speed and stamina.
The favorite has speed and she will be tested. But Dream Rush (2-1), winner of the Grade 1 Prioress in her last start, is not only a worthy favorite but she’ll be a tough out. And that’s because of the distance. Dream Rush’s best performance figure was earned while winning the G2 Nassau County at today’s trip. Nicely drawn in the center of a large field, that should give Eibar Coa options. While she’s best in front, she isn’t a strict need-the-lead type.
The main competition figures to come from Cotton Blossom (9-2) and Boca Grande (15-1). Neither filly can match her in the performance figure department (check out 12-1 Pha. Park shipper Akronism for that) but both figure to love this trip and each will benefit from strong fractions.
Cotton Blossom was a classy winner of the G1 Acorn at a mile then raced one-paced in the two-turn Delaware Oaks. Delaware can be quirky, but now she’s back at Saratoga where she has a (2) 1-1-0 slate and all that conditioning from both her recent starts. JR rides her regularly for Todd Pletcher.
Boca Grande has a pair of G2 victories to her credit and also has conditioning after racing evenly in both the G1 Acorn and Mother Goose most recently. While she doesn’t match up on figures, her close-up style is perfect for today’s conditions and Shug McGaughey has an excellent record in this race. The switch to Julien Leparoux just might suit this longshot filly perfectly.
Taking Dream Rush to win at 9-5 or greater, keying her first and second in trifecta boxes with Cotton Blossom, Boca Grande and the sharp, fast invader, Akronism.
by John Pricci | Executive Editor of HorseRaceInsider (dot) com