Los Al substitutes for Hollywood Park, but the Starlet remains a key fixture for 2-year-old fillies at the end of the year. Take Charge Brandi comes in with a chance to secure the 2-year-old filly Eclipse award. A salty field awaits! The big name connections are all represented in this race. Pletcher, Baffert, Hollendorfer, and D Wayne Lukas adds some spice.
The Skinny:
Achiever’s Legacy took advantage of a small field and strange pace in the Desi Arnaz Stakes. Laying 4th in a 4-horse field, she let 2 front-runners set fast fractions and then made a wide winning move to win comfortably by a length. Has run competitive races in all four career starts should get a good stalking trip just behind the front-runners.
Don’t Blame Me – should add some pace to the race and has a need to lead running style so far in her career. Her win was a wire to wire victory, her 2nd place finish she was on the gun from the start. Should be able to pressure Take Charge Brandi enough to keep her honest and has enough speed to lead them if the fractions get slow. Running style gives her a chance.
Danette – This one had a rough trip in the Breeders Cup and came running late, when the rest of the field was running. Has faced full fields in her career so far, but has enough speed to lay close. Dirt pedigree, gets a chance to run into a long stretch in a small field. Big Shot to close the deal.
Feathered – ran well at 13/1 in the Juvenile Fillies, capable of showing speed and I expect a strong performance. Solid workout pattern since last race and feel overall talent level is better than last 2 races indicate. Odds should be right.
Majestic Presence – has hung a little in the last 2 races and may not have the raw turn of foot to run some of these horses down. Class wise she fits and distance should not be an issue. Gets a switch to Gary Stevens which could make a difference in a race like this. Should pick up a check of some sort.
Take Charge Brandi – Likely favorite and has the Target on her back in this race. Last 2 races have been solid. She did drift out late at Delta and the short bull-ring stretch carried her to victory. But she has speed, class and proven at the distance. Will take a lot of beating. Just think all the shipping may catch up at some point.
Maybellene – Trying to find her class level, small filly has tactical speed, speed figures are on the low side and she needs to improve by 4 lengths to win a race like this.
The Choice:
Take Charge Brandi in my opinion is very vulnerable, shipping back to Los Angeles off a demanding race at Delta, she has run well and often, but at some point, it all catches up. Top Choice – Feathered should sit a good trip and the last 2 races are better visually than on the dirtied up form. Danette is my 2nd choice- another with the pedigree and right running style for this race.