AMERICAN GRADED STAKES
PREVIEWS
|
MIESQUE S. (G3), 5TH-HOL, $100,000, 2YO, F, 1MT, 2:32 P.M. (PST), 11-24 |
|
| 1 |
LA MINA, 2, f, by Mineshaft—El Laoob, by Red Ransom O-M & B Partners Llc; B-Dapple Bloodstock (Ky) |
| 2 |
MISS VERSATILE (IRE), 2, f, by Alhaarth—Liberi Versi, by Last Tycoon (Ire) O-Dolantori Racing; B-De Burgh Equine and Haras D’ (Ire) |
| 3 |
EXCITEMENT (IRE), 2, f, by Xaar—Sunny Slope, by Mujtahid O-Three Chimenys Racing Llc; B-E Tynan (Ire) |
| 4 | ROYALE ACTION (FR),
2, f, by Anabaa—Provisoire, by Gone West O-Gainsway Thorouhbred Ltd; B-M Jean-Philippe Dubois (Fr) |
| 5 |
GOLDEN DOC A, 2, f, by Unusual Heat—Penpont (NZ), by Crested Wave O-Abrams Abrams M Auerbach Llc Et Al; B-David Abrams (Ca) |
| 6 |
BATHED IN BLUE, 2, f, by Yes It’s True—Blues Court, by Court Trial O-Bongo Racing Stable Boran Brogden E; B-The Answer LLC (Ky) |
| 7 |
SET PLAY, 2, f, by Van Nistelrooy—Boldy’s Reflection, by Bold Ruckus O-Gerson Racing & Charleville Stables; B-Carolin Von Rosenberg DVM (Fl) |
| 8 |
MACELLYA (FR), 2, f, by Testa Rossa—Macellum, by Machiavellian O-B Wayne Hughes; B-M Thierry Grandsir (Fr) |
| 9 |
SEA CHANTER, 2, f, by War Chant—Smooth Charmer, by Easy Goer O-Stonerside Stable Llc; B-Stonerside Stable (Ky) |
| 10 |
RUNFORTHEMONEYBABY, 2, f, by Unusual Heat—Andover the Money, by Dynaformer O-Bello Williams & Williams; B-Abrams Johnson-Stoll V Johns (Ca) |
| 11 |
SWEETER STILL (IRE), 2, f, by Rock of Gibraltar (Ire)—Beltisaal, by Belmez O-David J Lanzman Racing Stable Inc O; B-Ann Marie O’Brien (Ire) |
| 12 |
CARNIVAL QUEEN (GB), 2, f, by Carnival Dancer—Irish Light, by Irish River (Fr) O-Jim Ford Inc Jarvis Maycock et al; B-Cheveley Park Stud (GB) |
Saturday’s $100,000 Miesque S. (G3) at Hollywood Park has drawn a competitive
field of 12 juvenile fillies, and as usual, the grassy mile affair features a
few promising sorts who were last seen in Europe. The most interesting of these
is B. Wayne Hughes’ MACELLYA (Fr) (Testa Rossa). A debut maiden scorer at
Chantilly, the Xavier Nakkachdji-trained chestnut is exiting a creditable third
versus males in the Prix Thomas Bryon (Fr-G3). Note that the winner,
Thewayyouare (Kingmambo), came right back to garner the Criterium International
(Fr-G1), stamping himself as a serious classic prospect for next year. It goes
without saying that the Miesque is an easier spot than her last, and if she
duplicates her French form, Macellya rates a top threat with Brice Blanc.
SEA CHANTER (War Chant) is the most accomplished of the Americans on the
turf. The Todd Pletcher pupil is coming off a convincing victory in the Epitome
Breeders’ Cup S. on Breeders’ Cup Friday at Monmouth, a contest that lured a
deeper group than this. Mike Smith picks up the mount on the Stonerside Stable
homebred.
Del Mar Debutante S. (G1) heroine SET PLAY (Van Nistelrooy) has not won since
that Polytrack event on Labor Day, but given her pedigree, the switch to turf
could be just what she needs to recover her sparkle. We’re throwing out her most
recent effort, an 11th in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) in the
Monmouth slop, and expect the Peter Miller filly to turn in a much improved
effort beneath Corey Nakatani.
SWEETER STILL (Ire) (Rock of Gibraltar [Ire]) is a once-raced maiden, but the
dark bay looms as a fascinating type in her American debut for Jeff Mullins. It
could be informative that former trainer Aidan O’Brien pitched her straight into
listed stakes company in the Flame of Tara S. on her debut, where she closed
well for fourth despite encountering trouble. Sweeter Still is eligible to
improve quite a bit from that introduction, especially with first-time Lasix,
and she’s worth a flyer here.
Mullins is also sending out RUNFORTHEMONEYBABY (Unusual Heat), who is exiting
an impressive 5 1/2-length romp in the Cal Cup Juvenile Fillies on the Cushion
Track. Prior to that, she was a good third in the Oak Leaf S. (G1). The full
sister to the genuine Spenditallbaby should love the grass, and she looms as a
prime contender.
MISS VERSATILE (Ire) (Alhaarth), who was third versus males in the Dragon S.
in England this summer, remains a maiden after six races on both sides of the
Atlantic. On the positive side of the ledger, she has placed four times, and she
lures Patrick Valenzuela into the saddle. ROYALE ACTION (Fr) (Anabaa) was an
allowance-caliber runner in France. She deserves consideration in her stateside
premiere for Richard Mandella, but it’s difficult to envision how she matches up
here.
Hidden Light S. winner LA MINA (Mineshaft) has been a different filly since
Mike Mitchell transferred her to the turf. She’ll be facing a much stiffer test
in the Miesque, however. GOLDEN DOC A (Unusual Heat), a two-time stakes victress
sprinting on synthetic surfaces, was never in the hunt when stretching out in
the Oak Leaf and looks vulnerable at a mile, even though she could like the
grass.
BATHED IN BLUE (Yes It’s True) was last in the Moccasin S. in her California
bow and may find this crowd too tough. EXCITEMENT (Ire) (Xaar) was beaten in her
first try against winners in England last time out. CARNIVAL QUEEN (GB)
(Carnival Dancer) took five attempts to break her maiden in England and is
taking a sizeable jump in class.