Ladies in the Spotlight
In this very tough sport, bettors have to search for opportunities where the fields are somewhat contentious so there is value to be had which brings us to the one and a sixteenth mile $60,000 Pelleteri Stakes at Fair Grounds on Saturday for older fillies and mares.
A cast of 8 will line up for this race and inside horse Ravi’s Song had a legit excuse of the slop last time. Repeatedly proven off the bench, she showed her grit winning an $81,000 Indiana Stakes by a neck last summer and has trained forwardly for 23% trainer Carl Bowman.
Third Dawn may not have cared for the good grass course last time in a race she had to need but she brings a ton of back class to the party. The daughter of Sky Mesa was beaten a nose in a Grade 1 stakes as a sophomore and was a closing second in a California Graded stakes last year.
Age of Humor rates respect off her connections alone as Mike Maker saddles her off a very solid second. She was almost 8 lengths clear of the show horse last time and should give a very good account of herself.
Avie’s Tale is one of three in the field proven locally. She is off the rail this time but her lone win in the last 2 years came in the off going.
Connections of Bella Medaglia are hoping for that déjà vu feeling as they won this race last year with Clear Sailing. Bella has only been out of the money once, and it came in a Graded stakes off 4 tough races in a row.
Fighter Wing beat up a softer crew to close out 2010 at Delta Downs and she will be looking for revenge here as she was beaten just a neck in this race last year off a similar layoff at 33-1.
Bettors have to resist the temptation of getting oversold about Silver La Belle’s last win. Sure, it was a freak job, but it was slop aided. Her versatility could be her best asset.
Sheer Beauty has much more speed than she flashed in last when caught wide on the yielding course sprinting. Her trainer, Bernie Flint, is solid year in and year out and is due for some luck this meet.
Don’t be shocked if the race unfolds like this. Fighter Wing figures to be on the muscle and sent along hard since she is fresh. Silver Belle and Sheer Beauty will take up chase with Bella Medaglia settling and leading the second flight of runners.
At the top of the lane, the legit splits will start to take its toll, as Bella Medaglia will start to make inroads into the lead.
In the final stages, Bella will make the top and hold off a wall of horses that includes Third Dawn, Age of Humor, and Avie’s Tale. Silver Beauty and Silver Belle.
Players could probably do worse than keying Bella Medaglia on top and on bottom of an exotic with those 5 rivals.
Good luck, and good racing.
