AMERICAN
GRADED STAKES PREVIEWS
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HERECOMESTHEBRIDE S. (G3), 8TH-GP, $150,000, 3YO, F, 1 1/8MT, 4:43 P.M. EDT, 3-15 |
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| 1 |
OBSEQUIOUS, 3, f, by Fusaichi PegasusUser Cat, by Storm Cat O-Andrew Farm & Frank J O’Connor; B-Nakamura Chikusan, Ltd. (Ky) |
| 2 |
BLUEGRASS PRINCESS, 3, f, by DynaformerAmerica America, by Mister Baileys (GB) O-Dell Ridge Farm; B-Highclere (Ky) |
| 3 |
DREAM EMPRESS, 3, f, by BernsteinChinese Empress, by Nijinsky II O-Livin the Dream Racing LLC; B-Hopewell Investments, LLC, Glencrest Farm & Bryan Cross (Ky) |
| 4 |
OILGONEWILE, 3, f, by MontbrookDignified Woman, by World Appeal O-Chester A Bishop Rohan Crichton Stephen; B-J Michael O’Farrell Jr (Fl) |
| 5 |
FAST TIGRESS, 3, f, by Hold That TigerFleeting Fable, by Afleet O-Sam Kassin & Eli Gindi; B-Sam Kassin (Ky) |
| 6 |
GOZZIP GIRL, 3, f, by DynaformerTemperence Gift, by Kingmambo O-Farnsworth Stables LLC; B-Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings (Ky) |
| 7 |
GUARDA, 3, f, by Empire MakerStorm Alert, by Storm Cat O-Louise I & G Watts Humphrey Jr; B-Louise I & G. Watts Humphrey, Jr. (Ky) |
| 8 |
CANDLE MAKER, 3, f, by TapitYour Call, by Wild Again O-Kinsman Stable; B-Richard & Connie Snyder (Ky) |
Grade 1 victress DREAM EMPRESS (Bernstein) is the one to beat in Sunday’s
$150,000 Herecomesthebride S. (G3), but she’s returning off a layoff and could
prove vulnerable over 1 1/8 miles. We’ll tab GOZZIP GIRL (Dynaformer) for the
top spot.
Trained by Tom Albertrani, Gozzip Girl has the advantage of two starts over
the course. She improved off her seasonal bow to capture the Coconut Grove S.
last out, drawing clear to a 2 1/4-length decision, and earned a 102 BRIS Late
Pace rating as well as a career-best 94 Speed rating. There’s some speed present to set
up her late rally, and the dark bay has trained forwardly for this appearance,
recording a five-furlong bullet work at Palm Meadows on Tuesday. Albertrani wins
at a 34 percent clip (53 starts) in the third start off the layoff, and Gozzip
Girl looks set for another strong showing.
OBSEQUIOUS (Fusaichi Pegasus) drew post 8 in the Coconut Grove and didn’t
enjoy the best trip racing close to the front on a slow pace, but she held well
for third and is eligible to improve here. The stalker has made fine progress
for trainer Elizabeth Gray since switching to the turf three starts back, and
Obsequious should be able to save ground from her rail post before
offering her best.
Dream Empress broke her maiden over the turf at Saratoga last August, and the
Kenny McPeek trainee owns plenty of back class. She’s been training steadily for
her return, and the bay filly has the BRIS numbers to get the job done under
Kent Desormeaux. However, Dream Empress will be a short price, and we’ll try to
beat the late runner off the bench.
CANDLE MAKER (Tapit) takes a steep class hike off a debut score over maiden
special weight rivals on January 23, but the Kinsman Stable-owned miss owns plenty of
potential. Following a hesitant start, she rallied boldly off the far turn to
grab the lead in midstretch and drew clear in impressive fashion, winning the
one-mile test by 3 1/2 lengths. Candle Maker is being asked to do a lot here
over the nine furlongs, but she could be along in time for a top-three placing.
BLUEGRASS PRINCESS (Dynaformer) recorded a decent third when making her
three-year-old bow last time and can’t be dismissed from consideration from the
bottom of the exotics. We haven’t seen enough to recommend her chances, but we
have a lot of respect for Kiaran McLaughlin’s ability to get the most from his
horses. FAST TIGRESS (Hold That Tiger) passed rivals to grab fifth in the
Coconut Grove and captured a tough Gulfstream allowance two starts back. She’s
eligible to outperform our expectations, but we have some slight class concerns
with the late runner.
OILONEWILE (Montbrook) will be winging it from the start, but we’d be
surprised to see the Florida-bred sustain her speed over nine furlongs. GUARDA
(Empire Maker) hasn’t started since breaking her maiden over the Polytrack
at Turfway Park 99 days ago, and this looks too ambitious of a spot for her
return.