CALIFORNIA RACE 12
Grade I
The Motherly Love Stakes
Fillies and mares, 3 years old and up
One mile on the Firm Turf Course, Purse:$500,000
The crowd started lining up at the front gates at 4 am thismorning, anxious to get a good vantage point to watch today’s races, and whocould blame them?
With a 16 race card that boasts a Listed Stakes, 4 Grade 3Stakes the Grade 2 L.A. Derby and 2 Grade 1 Stakes, what more could the avidpunter want?
If the bounty of class equine flesh on show here today inL.A. isn’t enough, there is a ripple of expectation that the Who’s Who of L.A.Society will be arriving here today in their droves, actors, actresses, movieproducers, directors and moguls all expected to put in an appearance.
However, there is a strong rumour circulating that the realreason for the huge turnout today is that the “Pyeman” was seen embarking fromhis private jet last night at LAX. This outspoken yet reclusive doyen of theSim Racing Scene is tipped to be making one of his rare live appearances at thetrack. In fact this reporter has it on good authority that the “Pyeman” hasthreatened to do a 3 furlong streak down the stretch if he doesn’t knock atleast 50% of the final 10 out of the “Beat the Pyeman” competition today.
In fact I have heard that the “Pyeman” is so confident intipping the winner today, that if his selection doesn’t hit the board, he willnot post anything controversial on the Sim Message board until 2010.
So everything hinges on today’s The Motherly Love Stakes,can the final 10 cause the Pyeman to bare it all and do a 3 furlong sprint infront of the huge crowd expected today? Will the Big Oil end up nothing morethan a smear on a grease monkey’s behind?
Today’s field brings together some of the finest Sim Ladiescurrently gracing the Grass courses of the Sim World, with 8 of the 14 runnersranked in the top 50 and 4 in the top 10 Turf Classic Fillies and Mares.
| No | REIGN IN HADES | 9/1 |
| 1 | (E DUBAI x FORESTRY x SEATTLE SLEW) |
Trainer: Citation4 Jockey: T Bates
Only missing the board oncein her past 8 starts, Reign in Hades has been a model of consistency. After 18straight runs around 1 turn, her trainer finally decided to put this 3 yo fillyto the 2 turn test in a listed stakes, where she finished a credible 2ndover a mile. Her next 3 starts resulted in 2 wins both over a mile and a half,the other start she managed a 3rd over the mile but was well beatenby over 7 lengths. She likes to stalk the pace and outstay her rivals but thisleaves her susceptible to being out sprinted in the stretch by the true milersin the field.
May hit the board butwould prefer to see her over more ground
| No | SMUGGLER'S COVE | 11/1 |
| 2 | (AWESOME AGAIN x DANZIG x MR. PROSPECTOR) |
Trainer: Pick6king Jockey: GV Vincent
This striking daughter ofAwesome Again has won 5 of her last 8 starts, but missed the board in the other3. Her only try at Graded Class in those 8 races was 2 starts back in the NewJersey Grade Black Light, which resulted in her worst result a 6 ¾length 5th. This with her times tend to make this writer think thatat 5 yo she is better placed at Listed Stakes level.
Would surprise to see herin the top half of the field
| No | AMATERASU | 10/1 |
| 3 | (AWESOME AGAIN x SEEKING THE GOLD x NORTHERN DANCER) |
Trainer: Stormborn2 Jockey: O Brim
Has won 4 and hit the boardtwice in her last 8 races, however, her best form is definitely at 9 furlongsplus. Amaterasu looks to be one of the natural leaders in this race, and ifgiven her own way could sneak a lead that would be hard to run down. But, withthe amount of class available in this race and a relatively inexperienced hoopon board I doubt she will get the luxury of having it her own way out front.
Cannot really see hertroubling these, even at her best
| No | MERRY TURFMAS | 8/1 |
| 4 | (GALILEO (IRE) x MACHIAVELLIAN x RUN THE GANTLET) |
Trainer: Cheadle Jockey: MStaples
Merry Turfmas, you just can’tleave her out on her name alone at this time of year. This is her 3rdstart back after a 9 week layoff, a few months ago she had a purple patchwinning 3 Graded Stakes in a row, but after a tough 7th in theBreeders Bowl followed up by another poor run 3 weeks later she was given asmall spell in the paddock (injured?). Since that let up she seems to havefound her previous good form when she cruised to an easy win 1st upin an easy allowance, before an impressive last start 2nd in thePrix Marcel Boss Grade 1
A definite threat today,and not one to be leaving out of your exotic bets.
| No | K'S STAND TALL | 14/1 |
| 5 | (MINESHAFT x NIJINSKY II x MR. PROSPECTOR) |
Trainer: Sledwith Jockey:R Simcox
From the well respectedLedwith group of stables, K’s Stand All cannot be taken lightly on that alone.Another with early speed she is expected again to be up fighting for the lead,however even taking into account a big jump in speed last start when beatenwithin sight of the post in the Grade 3 Sergio Garcia, it would be anunexpected result to see her in the top 5
Looks past her best, butbet against her stable at your peril
| No | MOI LOLITA | 10/1 |
| 6 | (AWESOME AGAIN x A.P. INDY x KINGMAMBO) |
Trainer: Ceclaim3 Jockey: J Nabbs
A mile specialist, who seemsto find it hard to greet the judge with only 1 win in her past 8 (at ListedLevel). Consistently seems to do just enough to tease her connections in GradedRaces into trying again.
Cannot be discarded, buttake her on trust.
| No | ALAYAYA | 12/1 |
| 7 | (A.P. INDY x AWESOME AGAIN x SADLER'S WELLS) |
Trainer: Given Jockey: A Lewis
Trainer, Given has definitelyplaced his filly well in this the Mothers Love Stakes, because only a mothercould love this girl. She would have to be the ugliest filly this reporter haslaid eyes on. It is rumoured she got her name ALAYAYA because that is the sounduttered by the vet just before he fainted when she was foaled. In fact it issaid her groom has heard her whinnying late at night “I am not a human I am anAnimal”
Ugly she maybe, but what shelacks in looks she has in raw talent, 8 starts back she was extremelyimpressive winning the Grade 1 Sexy Muffin Stakes over this distance.Unfortunately since then her form has been quite patchy with only a listedstakes and an allowance win to her credit.
Still ranked number 9 inthe Turf Classic category she is a definite threat if she can put her best hoofforward.
| No | HARDCORE ANTHEM | 20/1 |
| 8 | (BAHRI x DUBAI MILLENNIUM (GB) x ACK ACK) |
Trainer: Tatty Jockey: D Crack
At 20/1 Hardcore Anthem isthe outsider of the field. Capable of good early speed she is another expectedto be out front early, but unlikely to get it her own way she will probablywilt over the last 3 furlongs, especially as this is a HUGE jump in class fromthe allowance and listed stakes she has been contesting recently
Unlikely to trouble thisfield
| No | JEZEBELLE | 11/1 |
| 9 | (MR. GREELEY x RAHY x SADLER'S WELLS) |
Trainer: Speedstick Jockey: L Snyder
Her only try at Grade 1 inher last 8 starts also resulted in the only time she missed the board. Seems tobe a little over her head against this star studded field, and would appear tobe at big “unders” at 11/1.
Another that wouldsurprise to see in the top 5
| No | MISTRESS IN RED | 9/1 |
| 10 | (UNBRIDLED'S SONG x CAT THIEF x MR. PROSPECTOR) |
Trainer: Dora Jockey: S Webb
Winner of 4 (including theGrade 3 The Statue in Germany) and on the board twice in her last 8. Theworrying aspect being her only Grade 1 start was a very disappointing 11thbeaten 15 lengths. Mistress in Red put up the best recent time of any oftoday’s runners when she threw a brilliant 119 SP in winning that Grade 3.
A return to anything closeto that would put her right in contention today
| No | ROCK THE BUDA | 9/1 |
| 11 | (ROCK HARD TEN x STORM CAT x SADLER'S WELLS) |
Trainer: Vicki Jockey: F Gossett
With top hoop F Gossett onboard the number 1 ranked Turf Classic filly Rock The Buda comes into this racewith a top chance. A consistent Graded runner she has all the credentials andform to be the favorite here. Surprisingly though she is only on the 3rdline of betting at 9/1
The value bet of the raceand day **LATE MAIL and PUNTER PETE’S SPECIAL**
| No | CULINARY CUTIE | 7/1 |
| 12 | (EL PRADO(IRE) x GONE WEST x SEATTLE SLEW) |
Trainer: Buzz Jockey: C McGuire
The surprise pre-postfavourite Culinary Cutie is another that comes into today’s race off a stringof Graded runs, her only win in her last 7 runs being last start when shestalked the leader over 8 ½ furlongs going on to win by 2 lengths in theGrade 3 Athena Hcp.
Definitely one to includein your calculations but is under the odds in my opinion.
| No | PLEASE MOVE OVER | 9/1 |
| 13 | (PLEASANTLY PERFECT x PIVOTAL(GB) x GRAUSTARK) |
Trainer: Weller3 Jockey: FHoffman
Definitely well named, PleaseMove Over has been improving every run and moving up in class at the same time,culminating in her last two starts at the highest level over this distance,where she stormed home to just fail on both occasions. On those two eyecatching runs alone she must be considered here.
Due for a change of luckand my selection to win
| No | MULTIPLE MAINIAC | 10/1 |
| 14 | (UNBRIDLED'S SONG x DANEHILL x DAMASCUS) |
Trainer: Super22 Jockey: B Rahill
From the controversial“Super” stable, she is another that is making the jump to Grade 1. Certainly avery consistent performer at the lower levels the question is can she bringthat form up to this class. Her last start win in a listed stakes with a fiery110 speed says just possibly she can.
Do not overlook, as shemay surprise you
SELECTIONS:
1st – Number 13 PLEASE MOVE OVER
2nd – Number 11 ROCK THE BUDA
3rd – Number 4 MERRY TURFMAS
The question now is, who will the “Pyeman” put his moneyreputation and possibly his modesty on?
