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Race Analysis By Emily Shields Post Race Analysis With the scratch of Wind Caper, nine fillies raced in the Anoakia Stakes on Sunday at Oak Tree, resulting in a somewhat surprising win by Mi Chiamano Mimi, who paid $15.60 on a $2 win bet. Despite a maiden victory in only one start, the daughter of Came Home – a top two-year-old six years ago – was sent off at 6 – 1 and bounded home after leading every step of the way, drawing to a 1 1/4 length score under Garrett Gomez for trainer Mike Mitchell. Alpha Kitten, the big favorite, finished second, 4 3/4 lengths clear of Bob Baffert’s strong pair of Toro Bonito and Casino Gold.
Mi Chiamano Mimi co-held the highest CASE Coordination rating in the field with Casino Gold and Miss Dixie Dancer, who finished fifth. Her Aerobic Efficiency rating was the second highest in the field, and her overall average was the third highest.
Pre Race Analysis Juvenile fillies take the stage in the $75,000 Anoakia Stakes at Oak Tree on October 19th, a six-furlong contest over the synthetic surface. Ten fillies go to the post with Casino Gold, Alpha Kitten, Miss Dixie Dancer, and Toro Bonito figure to be among the favorites. Alpha Kitten is a daughter of Tale of the Cat handled by top trainer John Sadler. In just one start, at Del Mar on August 30, Alpha Kitten, who was highly regarded before debuting, easily handled a 5 1/2 furlong maiden race. The extra half-furlong shouldn’t a problem for the gray filly, who worked a bullet at Hollywood Park on October 11th: 6 furlongs in 1:11.3. It is unusual to see a workout the distance of the race. Alpha Kitten has the highest Stride Quality rating in the field at 92.
Casino Gold is one of two Bob Baffert entrants in the field. Casino Gold lost to Alpha Kitten in that Del Mar maiden, finishing third, then returned to win a September 27th Santa Anita maiden special weight over six furlongs. David Flores, who was aboard for that win, is back again today. Casino Gold has the highest CASE ratings in the field by far: She earned the highest Coordination rating at 81 (although two other fillies share this rating), the highest Aerobic Efficiency at 107, the highest Endurance rating at 100, and the highest overall average at 89.3. Casino Gold will be heavily bet at the windows given her record, speed figures, and connections.
Toro Bonito, Casino Gold’s stablemate, is by the speedy El Corredor. Under jockey David Flores, Toro Bonito finished second behind Empressive Lady in her debut, won a maiden race at Del Mar on August 24th, and then finished 5th behind Stardom Bound in the Oak Lead Stakes (gr. I) last out. The company is top notch – Stardom Bound is the favorite for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies next weekend, and Empressive Lady is an extremely well-bred and highly regarded filly.
Miss Dixie Dancer is exiting a win in the Barretts Debutante at Fairplex Park on September 13th. After winning two straight starts, running second after a bad break, and then winning that stakes race, Miss Dixie Dancer’s record stands at 3 wins in 4 starts with $106,129 in earnings, the most of any horse in the field by far.
Wind Caper, breaking from the outside post, took a maiden race at Presque Isle Downs in August and is now in the barn of trainer Ron Ellis. Truthy, from the John Sadler barn, also is a winner in only one start, taking a high priced Del Mar maiden claimer on August 14th. Super Dixie went 2 for 3 at Emerald Downs, including a small stakes race there, and is now in the barn of trainer Richard Mandella. |