Cotillion

TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS

BLIND LUCK (Pollard’s Vision) is currently the leading sophomore filly and
tops a field of five in Saturday’s $750,000 Cotillion S. (G2) at the track
formerly known as Philadelphia Park. However, the Jerry Hollendorfer charge is a
late-running sort who usually just gets there on the wire, and she’ll be giving
10 pounds to rival HAVRE DE GRACE (Saint Liam) in this 1 1/16-mile test.
Considering Havre de Grace just missed by a neck and a nose in their past two
appearances, that weight allowance may be just what she needs to hold off her
rallying adversary. With that in mind, we’re tabbing the bay miss to earn her
first stakes win in this spot.

In addition to Havre de Grace’s close finishes to Blind Luck in the Alabama
S. (G1) and Delaware Oaks (G2) in her past two, the lightly-raced three-year-old
was a neck back of the Go for Wand S. winner while making her black-type bow on
June 5. The Tony Dutrow runner has earned century-topping BRIS Speed numbers in
three of her last four races, including a 114 rating in the Delaware Oaks, and
triple-digit BRIS Late and E2 Pace figures during that period as well. Havre de
Grace has been working well in advance of this one, posting a bullet half-mile
move in :48 1/5 last Sunday at Delaware Park, and could spoil Blind Luck’s hat
trick bid under regular rider Jeremy Rose.

Blind Luck will be no pushover despite the 124 pounds she’ll be carrying. The
chestnut lass has competed exclusively against graded company in her past 11
races, scoring five Grade 1 victories including the Kentucky Oaks (G1) and
Alabama. She never does more than what she needs to, though, and has
allowed others to get the jump on her in the past, resulting in placings in the
Hollywood Oaks (G2) and Santa Anita Oaks (G1) this season. The talented filly
will be tough to hold off, but we’re willing to take a shot against at probable
low odds. Joel Rosario has guided Blind Luck in her past two wins and retains
the mount here.

BONNIE BLUE FLAG (Mineshaft) appears to be the best of the rest, if she runs
here instead of Saturday’s Beldame S. (G1). The Bob Baffert-trained bay has only posted a triple-digit Speed rating once during her
career, with that coming as a 102 when she made her dirt bow in the Cinemine S.
on May 31. She’s shown a definite liking for conventional dirt surfaces,
following that appearance with a third in the Prioress S. (G1) and a runner-up
effort in the Test S. (G1) while sprinting. Bonnie Blue Flag has won going a
route and is our pick to fill out the top three with Kendrick Carmouche aboard.

AWESOME MARIA (Maria’s Mon) was an exciting juvenile who captured the Matron
S. (G2) and finished second by a head in the Frizette S. (G1). She took a near
year-long vacation following that latter event, though, not reappearing in
competition until adding the first division of the Riskaverse S. to her line
last out. The gray also switched barns over the winter and will be looking to
keep her record perfect for new trainer Todd Pletcher with another win here.
Awesome Maria is a game sort, but we’re not sure if she’s ready to face our top
two just yet. She’s a definite include in the exotics, though.

ABSINTHE MINDED (Quiet American) looks completely out of her class against
these but in this short field would, nonetheless, pick up a lucrative check for
running last.