All of the Kentucky Oaks talk has been about Blind Luck and Christine Daae, however there is a filly that is coming under the radar. No she hasn't won a stakes race yet, but she could be one of the favorites for the Honeybee Stakes at Oaklawn. Yes it took her six races to break her maiden, but she finished third in the Martha Washington Stakes. She is the Mineshaft filly Bell's Shoes, and happens to be from a family that adores Oaklawn.
Bell's Shoes is out of the King of Kings mare Isabell's Shoes, a stakes winner in her own right (Martha Washington back in 2005, then finished fifth in the Honeybee behind future BC Distaff winner Round Pond). Isabell is out of the Phone Trick mare Pink Shoes (also a stakes winner, Gowell Stakes and Martha Washington Stakes), thus making her a half sister to stakes winners Wildcat Shoes, and Prom Shoes. Of course the latter being G2 placed (2nd in the 07 Peter Pan Stakes) and the winner of 2 stakes at Oaklawn (the Fifth Season Stakes in 08 and last year's Essex Handicap. He finished third in this year's Essex and just ran in this year's G3 Razorback Handicap).
It did take Bell's Shoes a while to break her maiden, but she finished out of the top three only once (even then she still took home a check as she finished fifth). The Martha Washington was her first try against stakes company, and she finished third behind Decelerator and Eva Giselle. She went off as the second longest shot and was only beaten by 2 ¼ lengths, finishing in front of Shotgun Gulch who won the prep for the Martha Washington. Could Bell's Shoes upset Blind Luck in the Oaks? She has to do well in the Honeybee and in the Fantasy to have a chance to Run for the Lilies. Although, if the current history of the Fantasy holds up, she has a great shot of doing so (two of the last three winners of this prep are Eight Belles and Rachel Alexandra, also a winner of this race happens to be Round Pond). Only time will tell weather or not she will follow in the footsteps of great horses who have run at Oaklawn.
Showing posts with label Bell's Shoes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bell's Shoes. Show all posts
March 6, 2010
February 15, 2010
The Wild Weekend
Wow! Stakes action ran coast to coast this weekend, and personally some very happy results. Since I didn't have the time to do a preview of this past weekends races (partically forgot, partically didn't have the time to do so), I'm not going to recap all of the races I had planned to preview. I can tell you is that the Southwest was postponed (my guess is to weather?), so that won't be a race I will recapping. However, for now, here are the recaps for this past weekend.
Sam F. Davis at Tampa: Rule took one more step foward in his quest for the Derby. By winning this race, he defeated the highely regarded Uptowncharlybrown and Schoolyard Dreams. The Florida Derby is next for him, and honestly if he can rate, he'll be fine. While may not be able to win the Derby, he could be there at the end.
La Canada: It's time for Stardom Bound to retire. The 08 2yo champ has not looked the same, she showed a little bit of promise in her last race, but it's time for her to go.
Martha Washington: Better known as the 3yo debut of Rachel Alexandra last year. Decelerator won the race this year, but keep an eye on the third place finisher Bell's Shoes. She's a Mineshaft out of a King of Kings mare, the dam also happens to be a half sister to the one and only Prom Shoes.
Santa Maria: If either Zenyatta or Rachel Alexandra where to lose this year, it could be to St Trinians. The Mike Mitchell trainee beat Z's stablemate and last year's Ladies Classic winner Life is Sweet. It would be nice to see Mitchell have a big horse again after losing the late Star Over the Bay due to breakdown in Singapore. Her next race is expected to be the Santa Anita Handicap, which is coming up on the weak side.
Las Virgenes: All I can say is wow! Blind Luck almost bit the bullet on Saturday, but was able to gut out a nose victory over Evening Jewel. Crisp who quite a people where high on never fired. I think the slow fractions and a bad trip may have almost hurt Blind Luck's chances. Hopefully a better trip in the SA Oaks, could lead to a SA Derby start. However, I think the connections are leaning towards the Oaks at this time.
Barbara Fitche: Weathered did okay, I don't really think 7 furlongs is her thing. Hopefully she can rebound in her next race, and it could set her up for the Obeah in June.
The Lewis had a huge upset as did the Strub. I'll have more posts this upcoming week, and I do promise to do a weekend preview.
Sam F. Davis at Tampa: Rule took one more step foward in his quest for the Derby. By winning this race, he defeated the highely regarded Uptowncharlybrown and Schoolyard Dreams. The Florida Derby is next for him, and honestly if he can rate, he'll be fine. While may not be able to win the Derby, he could be there at the end.
La Canada: It's time for Stardom Bound to retire. The 08 2yo champ has not looked the same, she showed a little bit of promise in her last race, but it's time for her to go.
Martha Washington: Better known as the 3yo debut of Rachel Alexandra last year. Decelerator won the race this year, but keep an eye on the third place finisher Bell's Shoes. She's a Mineshaft out of a King of Kings mare, the dam also happens to be a half sister to the one and only Prom Shoes.
Santa Maria: If either Zenyatta or Rachel Alexandra where to lose this year, it could be to St Trinians. The Mike Mitchell trainee beat Z's stablemate and last year's Ladies Classic winner Life is Sweet. It would be nice to see Mitchell have a big horse again after losing the late Star Over the Bay due to breakdown in Singapore. Her next race is expected to be the Santa Anita Handicap, which is coming up on the weak side.
Las Virgenes: All I can say is wow! Blind Luck almost bit the bullet on Saturday, but was able to gut out a nose victory over Evening Jewel. Crisp who quite a people where high on never fired. I think the slow fractions and a bad trip may have almost hurt Blind Luck's chances. Hopefully a better trip in the SA Oaks, could lead to a SA Derby start. However, I think the connections are leaning towards the Oaks at this time.
Barbara Fitche: Weathered did okay, I don't really think 7 furlongs is her thing. Hopefully she can rebound in her next race, and it could set her up for the Obeah in June.
The Lewis had a huge upset as did the Strub. I'll have more posts this upcoming week, and I do promise to do a weekend preview.
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