Happy Ogden Phipps Day!

Five stakes on the card today for the fillies led by three Grade Is. The Acorn has four of the top five finishers in the Kentucky Oaks back in the starting gate as they face each other in a re-match. It’s a short field, but all the right ones are entered.

The question in the Odgen Phipps revolves around Nitrogen and whether she can regain her form after being defeated by Majestic Oops in the Azeri and the late Claret Beret in the Apple Blossom. She didn’t have an excuse on either day. She has had a bit more time between starts this time compared to her two most recent starts. We’ll see if that freshened her a bit.

Trivia Question: Who was Ogden Phipps?

Race 10 – The Acorn – Grade I

One Mile and One Furlong on the Dirt for Three Year Old Fillies

1. Prom Queen: Was a dominant in the Gulfstream Oaks as she went My Miss Mo with just a shake of the reigns (90 Beyer). In the Kentucky Oaks she was immediately at the back of the pack and while she made a very good sustained drive to get fourth (while lugging in) she was no threat to win (87 Beyer) as she had too much to do. She needs to be closer and as far back as she was in the Oaks. Expect a change in tactics with a much smaller field and an inside post. Look for a rail skimming stalking trip. Prat takes over for Castellano. The Pick.
2. Counting Stars: In the Kentucky Oaks she had a rail trip and once she got in the clear she ran well to finish a good third (90 Beyer). Two back in the Fantasy she pressed the leader and then drew off to win by five lengths (92 Beyer). Minor award.
3. Meaning: In the Kentucky Oaks she was mid-pack and took first run at the leader and while she did get her nose in front at the eighth pole Always a Runner was moving better late and went by in the final hundred yards (92 Beyer). Has shown a Beyer improvement in all five career starts. Exotics.
4. Maximum Offer: After fading in both the Martha Washington and the Fair Grounds Oaks she went in N1X company at Churchill and won after pressing the pace (81 Beyer). Moves back to graded stakes company against some very good ones. Should be part of the early pace. Would be a major surprise against this accomplished field. Lasix OFF. Looking elsewhere.
5. Always A Runner: Undefeated Chad Brown trainee runs here after winning the Kentucky Oaks where she sat mid-pack and made a sustained outside run (94 Beyer) to get up in the last sixteenth. Two back she was strong in the lane after a mid-pack rail trip to win the Gazelle (94 Beyer) at the Big A. She should have some pace to run into and the extra half furlong should suit. Logical favorite. Using.

Picks 1-5-2

Race 12 – The Ogden Phipps – Grade I

One Mile and One Furlong on the Dirt For Fillies and Mares Four Years Old and Up

1. Fully Subscribed: Four year old Chad/Klaravich runner runs here off a second in the La Troienne where Shred the Gnar was better late (92 Beyer). That was her first race since a win in the Comely (92 Beyer) in December and her first race as a four year old. Has hit the board in all six career starts wining three and two of those wins have been at nine furlongs. She is set up for a perfect rail pocket trip. Prat stays in the saddle. The Pick.
2. Regaled: Five year old has two starts this year. In the Azeri she came from the back of the pack and passed them all but the winner (93 Beyer). The in the Apple Blossom she was at the back again and made a good run but flattened out and was a distant fourth (91 Beyer). Should be running late. Underneath only.
3. Alpine Princess: Runs here after winning the Doubledogdare Stakes at Keeneland where she got through on the inside to win by a neck after an extended battle (97 Beyer). Two back she was no match for the late Claret Baret who won handily in the Royal Delta (91 Beyer). Prefers to be on or close to the pace. Could get loose if Irad is aggressive (don’t hold your breath), more likely she and Nitrogen are the pace. Three for three in the exacta at nine furlongs. Dangerous.
4. Cassiar: Two second place finishes this year – the first was at Gulfstream in an optional claimer she couldn’t run down Five G (81 Beyer). Then in the Ruffian going the flat mile at the Big A she was at the back of the pack and made a furious charge but couldn’t catch a “loose on the lead” Irish Maxima (99 Beyer). Blinkers ON. Passing.
5. Nitrogen: Has won six graded stakes in her career including the Alabama over this track last Summer but was not on her game in her two most recent starts where she was bested by Majestic Oops in the Azeri and by the late Claret Baret in the Apple Blossom. In both cases she had no excuse and just was outrun in the stretch. She just isn’t finishing off her races – even her win in a Grade 3 to start the year was labored. I think she’s better on the grass. Minor award.
6. Bless the Broken: Won an optional claimer off a seven month layoff last winter and then went to the Beholder Mile where she was best of the rest behind 1/9 Splendora. Last month in the La Troienne she got a rail pocket trip but lost some momentum as she finished third after not keeping straight running line (89 Beyer). No wins in three starts at nine furlongs. Passing.

Picks 1-3-5-2

Trivia Answer: Hall of Famer Ogden Phipps was a prominent thoroughbred owner/breeder. He bred and raced Personal Ensign and Easy Goer, both of whom are in the Hall of Fame. He was a founding member of NYRA in 1959.