The final weekend of racing in Maryland for calendar year 2009 is highlighted by the $50,000 Maryland Juvenile Filly Championship; a 7 1/2 furlong event for state-bred 2-year-old fillies. This year's running of the Juvenile Filly Championship has attracted 12 entries, and would appear to be an intriguing betting race.
Most of that intrigue, of course, is because these young ladies have yet to write their complete stories on the track. Any could potentially move forward and take the ever important "next step." Snow is in the forecast for the afternoon, but it's impossible to tell at this point how much of an impact that precipitation my have.
Looking over the field, I tend to favor the 2nd choice on the morning line; #6 Popeye's Lady (3/1). For starters, my main man Luis Garcia is aboard, and he's been tearing it up at Laurel this meet to the tune of a 21% winning percentage. Further, the daughter of Forest Wildcat, despite winning last out over the slop, may have run better in what might be the "key race" to focus on in this field, finishing second to a capable runner named Graemy and just ahead of one today's rivalsm (#3 Spoken in French) on 10/23.
The favorite is #5 Jim's Prospect (5/2), who looks like a horse you've got to use in the exotics. They debuted this filly in the Maryland Million Lassie and she was 3rd of 12 runners, only beaten by a length and a half. Since then she's broken her maiden and been beaten by a head at the wire against winners. Clearly there is talent here.
On the bottom of my ticket I might take some chances, but one horse I know I'll be using is the third choice on the line, #11 Smart Tori (4/1). She's won from the outside before (albeit on the turf back in September), and has trainer Gary Capuano, a master with 2-year-olds (31%) in her corner as well.
I also like #2 Molly Molly Molly at 10/1 on the bottom of my tickets. She's stepping up in class and has yet to break her maiden, but perhaps her connections thought that improvement last out signaled that the light was on? Since she's the better price, I'll make her my official third choice instead of Smart Tori, even if all things being equal I'd actually prefer the latter by a nose.
W- #6 Popeye's Lady (3/1)
P - #5 Jim's Prospect (5/2*)
S - #2 Molly Molly Molly (10/1)
Exacta: 5,6 with 2,5,6,11 ($6)
Trifecta: 6 with 2,5,11 with 2,3,4,5,9,11 ($15)
Best of luck to all!
