Horse Race Betting

My Princess Jess Destined to Rule Garden City

Posted on 9/5/2008 3:36:47 PM By Pete Mitchell

A stellar field has been assembled for the 30th Running of The Garden City Stakes at Belmont Park on Saturday, which should inflate the price of my selection—My Princess Jess. There are so many reasons to like this filly in this spot that after I list them, there may not be enough space left to discuss her competition’s horse racing odds.

My Princess Jess is trained by top horseman Barclay Tagg, who’s batting 22 per cent with a representative sample of 73 graded stakes starters, for positive ROI of $2.28. Tagg has named the extremely talented Eibar Coa to ride.

Coa got acquainted with this filly in winning the G2 Lake George last out. That familiarity should help, as My Princess Jess has been steadied on the first turn in several of her races. She owns the field’s top Tomlinson figure on turf (346) and at this distance (382). So from the standpoint of connections and breeding, she gets an “A”.

Although this is her first try at 1 1/8 miles, it shouldn’t pose a problem given the way she finishes. She came home in a rapid :22 4/5 seconds in just the second start of her career, and covered the final 5/16th in the Boiling Springs at Monmouth two back in a blistering :28 2/5.

In the Lake George, run over soft ground, she out-finished Saturday’s rival Alwajeeha with a final 5/16th in :29 1/5. She won the Lake George carrying 122 lbs., two more than she’ll be asked to tote in the Garden City. She’s training well and has already notched a win at Belmont.

In fact, she doesn’t have to carry her track around with her, as she’s won at four different locations, on courses listed as firm and soft. That’s key, as overnight rains are likely to soften up the Belmont Park sod. This filly fires her best shot every time and is likely to do so again on Saturday, at horse racing odds of 5-2 or better.

As for her competition, Raw Silk tends to weaken, and Alwajeeha has already proven to be no match in crunch time. Backseat Rhythm came home last out in a pedestrian :12 1/5 seconds to win the G2 Lake Placid…that won’t cut it vs. the “Princess”.

Likely favorite Pure Clan is 4-for-4 on the lawn, but all of her wins came on turf listed as “firm”. Her closing punch is also suspect, as it took her :25 seconds to complete her final quarter mile in the American Oaks last out. She’ll also be asked to carry 122 lbs., more than she’s ever won with. Also, her Oaks victory wasn’t flattered when 2nd-place finisher Satan’s Circus came back to finish fourth in the G1 Del Mar Oaks.

Ariege looks like a special filly, but her biggest wins have come on polytrack, and her price will be deflated by her entrymate, Pure Clan.

I’ll be betting on My Princess Jess at horse racing odds of 5-2 or better…the 4-1 morning line looks like a pipedream.

In the day’s other Grade 1 at “The Beautiful B”, The Ruffian Handicap, I’ll bet a straight 4-5 exacta, Indian Blessing over Spring Waltz. Spring Waltz has yet to race at Belmont, but her daddy (Silver Charm) and granddaddy (Easy Goer) sure liked it there.

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Pete Mitchell, BetOnline.com Racebook Director, has been handicapping horses since his teenage years. He has been a professional horse player for many years, and came to BetOnline.com’s attention through multiple referrals from industry insiders/sportsbook owners. Pete is revered for his horse handicapping opinion and industry experts acknowledge his impressive career winning record. Thoughts or questions? Email Comments@BetOnline.com.