This Saturday marks the return of the defending Horse of the Year Havre de Grace. She makes her debut in the New Orleans Ladies Classic at the Fair Grounds. This marks the second time that a HOY has run in this race (Rachel Alexandra finished second in the ingaural edition to mark her first loss since 2008 as a 2yo). Much like Rachel, Grace is heads above this field, however lets take a look to see if there is a Zardana type horse who could possibly upset the apple cart.
1. Sterling Madame (Unbridled Energy): 2 for 2 at the Fair Grounds, but those where in allowance races. Makes her stakes debut here.
2. Havre de Grace (Saint Liam): I think we know her creditals.
3. Annabel Lee (J Town): Has faced Summer Soiree, Daisy Devine, and Her Smile, but they where all on the turf. Poor lately in allowances.
4. Distorted Love (Distorted Humor): If any horse beats Grace, this is prob. the mare to do it. 4th to Grace's stablemate Joyful Victory in the Tiffney Lass, her trainer Helen Pitts knows how to train nice horses (she was Curlin's first trainer, and also trained Sweet Talker and Einstein).
5. Juanita (Mineshaft): Other then Grace, she is the only other stakes winner in the field. She's got the defending leading jockey on her back, but she has faultered sometimes when facing quality company (although she has defeated Daisy Devine, but that was before Daisy took her racing to the grass). 3rd to JV in the Tiff Lass.
This is Grace's race to lose. Many of the others will be facing Joyful Victory in the Azeri, and this could set up a very interesting showdown between her, JV, Awesome Maria and maybe even Awesome Feather in the Apple Blossom. I'm going with Distorted Love for second and Juanita for third.
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