Happy Spinaway Day! 

Nice card for the last Saturday of the meet with three graded stakes headlined by the Flower Bowl and Spinaway as the fillies and mares take top billing. Both top stakes races are wide open and are very good betting affairs. 

Trivia Question: What is the oldest stakes race in North America for two year old fillies? 

Race 10 – The Flower Bowl – Grade 2 

One Mile And Three Furlongs On The Inner Turf 

 For Fillies and Mares Four Years Old And Upward 

1. Marksman Queen: Has set the pace in multiple marathon turf races and if she gets away with a soft pace she can take them the whole way. She won her last two races using those tactics. But today she should have company up front which will compromise her chances. Passing.
2. Amber Cascade: Was a solid second in her first turf effort last out at Ellis Park (88 Beyer) in an overnight stakes. Takes on tougher today, but Maker stretching out on the turf at a price – Yes, please.
3. Long Ago: British bred has been a been a consistent performer since shipping from France. Faltered late while running over a yielding course in the Glens Falls (88 Beyer). She will have company up front today and that’s not good news for this Bill Morey trainee. Passing.
4. La Mehana: Romped in the Glens Falls where she stalked and then drew off by eight lengths (104 Beyer). Definitely liked the cut in the ground last time but she should see firmer going today. Nonetheless, the Clement barn is going great and she’ll keep coming all the way home. Kendrick takes over for Prat who is at Del Mar. Last time was the time. Exotics.
5. In Time: Has been in the U.S. for two years and has yet to try stakes company. In that time, she was run decently against allowance and optional claimers. Likes to press the pace. I am not sure that approach will work here given the pace setters she’ll face in this field. Not today.
6. Madame Mischief: She was subpar in the Matchmaker Stakes at Monmouth where she trailed the field and lacked a turn of foot (83 Beyer). Does she want all this ground? Hard to see. 
7. Be Your Best: Should be on the pace today as she stretches back out to eleven furlongs. Last out in the Beverly D she was in position but was flat, finishing third (91 Beyer).  Won the Long Island Stakes last Fall at today’s distance. Exotics.
8. Bellezza: Irish bred won the Sheepshead Bay (95 Beyer) in her first American start in May – in the next two races she performed well but found yielding surfaces both times and lacked a finish. A firmer turf course should suit her. Can sit a trip behind the pace setters. The Pick.
9. Amanda’s Folly (MTO): Don’t think have to worry about this one drawing in given the forecast for Saturday. Solid if it’s rained off.

Picks 8-2-7-4 Dirt 2-9 

Race 11 – The Spinaway – Grade I 

Seven Furlongs on the Dirt On For Two Year Old Fillies 

1. Ornellaia: Nice debut for this $1.1 million daughter of Girvin as she inhaled the field after being ten lengths off the leader after the first quarter mile. Longer should suit (72 Beyer). Dylan Davis takes over for Prat who is out of town. Minor award.
2. Meringue: Broke poorly in the Adirondack and was left chasing Mythical who was loose on the lead (78 Beyer). She faces Mythical again today – but she’s competitive with a better break. Broke her maiden turf sprinting at Churchill. Win candidate.
3. Rileytole: Won at first asking for Saffie Joseph going five and a half by sitting off the pace and firing in the lane with a Reylu rally (59 Beyer). Has been prepping locally after shipping up from Palm Meadows. Water is too deep.
4. Mythical: Undefeated in three career races as she has wired the field in each. Got loose last time in the Adirondack where she was game to hold off Meringue (84 Beyer). Had a similar performance versus the colts in the Tremont going shorter (93 Beyer). Could wire them. Using.
5. Percy’s Bar: Two for two including a win in the Debutant Stakes at Churchill Downs where she came from off the pace to roll by the leaders (70 Beyer). Tougher field today, but she is training well. Show me.
6. Sina: Broke her maiden last out at Delaware Park at 1/5 where she wired the field (62 Beyer). Finds a much stronger field here. Too much, too soon.
7. Steer Clear: In her first career she got to the lead in the lane but Ornellaia ran her down (68 Beyer). I am not sure more ground is what she wants. Passing.
8. Tommy Jo: Won at first asking with a sustained move on the turn to pass four rival, opening up on the field under a hand ride while posting a strong 85 Beyer. Visually impressive. Can stalk from the outside an expected hot pace and make the first move at the early pace setters. The Pick.
9. Spirit Doll: Came from the back of the field to just get up for Edgar Zayas and Saffie (68 Beyer) in a restricted maiden special weigh race. Needs a big step forward. Can’t see it.
10. Day to Day: McKinzie colt broke her maiden turf sprinting at Colonial Downs. Moved from the Trombetta barn to Saffie Joseph off that win. Only has one timed workout since that debut at the end of July. There are unanswered questions.

Picks 8-2-4-1 

Trivia Answer: First run in 1881 the Spinaway is the oldest stakes race for two year old fillies in North America. It is named for Spinaway – the 1880 American Champion Two Year Old Filly.