2021 Kentucky Downs Ladies Turf Stakes Quick Picks
The $750,000 Kentucky Downs Ladies Turf Stakes (G3) drew a contentious field of older fillies and mares who will race a mile. Although the event isn’t a Breeders’ Cup challenge race, previous runners have competed in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Mile (G1).
Carded as race 7 of 11, the Ladies Turf Sprint Stakes has a 3:34 PM CT post time.
Let’s review the most likely runners to hit the board.
#2 Princess Grace (2-1)
Princess Grace has won five of six lifetime starts and was ridden by a different jockey in each start. The Michael Stidham trainee’s speed figures are improving, and she gets the services of Florent Geroux in her third start off the layoff. Win Contender.
#9 Dalika (9-2)
Dalika cuts back to a mile after her fifth-place finish in the 1 1/2-mile Glens Falls (G2). She may have regressed after a successful long stretch duel in her first start off the layoff, and the Al Stall, Jr. trainee showed similar form last year. Nevertheless, Dalika should rebound here, especially with Joel Rosario, the meet’s leading rider in the irons. Win Contender.
#6 Shifty She (6-1)
Shifty She gets a class test after hitting the board in three of four starts this year. Based in Florida, the Saffie Joseph, Jr. trainee proved she can travel when she was third in her first start off the layoff in the listed De La Rose states at Saratoga. Exotics.
#5 She’sonthewarpath (8-1)
She’sonthewarpath has missed the board only three times in the last two years and finished four both times. She enters Ladies Turf with a two-race win streak. While she’s seeking her first graded victory, the Steve Margolis trainee is five for six at a mile. Live longshot.
#3 Abscond (4-1)
Abscond placed second in the Nassau Stakes (G2) at Woodbine in her last start, closing to miss by 3/4 length. Although Abscond is seeking her first victory since 2019, The Eddie Kenneally trainee has hit the board in five of seven starts between 2020 and 2021. In a race filled with speed, Abscond is one of the few in here with a tactical running style, and she has a chance to hit the board. Exotics.
#4 Querelle (15-1)
At first glance, the Grade 3-placed Querelle looks up against it. However, she has hit the board in nine of twelve starts since 2020, including her last two starts. The one-run closer owns the second-highest late pace Brisnet speed figure in the field, and Tyler Gaffalione, the meet’s second-leading rider, will be in the irons. Live Longshot.
Kentucky Downs Ladies Turf Stakes Analysis
Five of the nine Ladies Turf contenders are pacesetters or pressers. Two are stalkers, and the rest have tactical speed.
Princess Grace has tactical speed, and she’s the one to beat. Dalika does her best work on the lead or closely pressing the pace. She’s cutting back from 1 1/2 miles and will be tough to get by.
She’sonthewarpath, Abscond, and Querelle always find a way to hit the board and should be included on your tickets.
- #2 Princess Grace (2-1)
- #9 Dalika (9-2
- #5 She’sonthewarpath (8-1)
- #4 Querelle (15-1)
