Cotillion Stakes Quick Picks
The $1 million Cotillion Stakes at PARX attracted an accomplished field of nine 3-year-old fillies, with the scratch of Private Mission.
The 1 1/16 mile Grade 1 event isn’t a 2021 Breeders’ Cup Challenge race, but most Cotillion Stakes winners compete in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1). Carded as race 11 of 13, post time for the Cotillion Stakes is 5:02 PM ET. The track will be fast.
Let’s take a quick look at the fillies most likely to hit the board.
#5 Army Wife (9-5)
In the ten-furlong Alabama Stakes (G1), Army Wife made a sweeping move around the far turn and briefly led the field, but was no match for Malathaat, who is this year’s most accomplished 3-year-old filly. Army Wife was passed late by Clairiere, beaten a half-length for second place. The Mike Maker trainee cuts back in distance and is one of the fillies to beat. Win contender.
#4 Maracuja (8-1)
Since entering the graded stakes foray in April, Maracuja has recorded a good/bad race cycle. After finishing second in the Gazelle (G3), the Rob Atras trainee finished seventh in the Kentucky Oaks (G1). She returned to surprise the heavy favorite Malathaat in CCA Oaks (G1) by a head, and Maracuja is the only filly to have bested Malathaat in her seven-race career.
In her final start, Maracuja again finished seventh, thirteen lengths behind the field. Nevertheless, Maracuja is capable of winning the Cotillion, and if her recent trend is any indication, she could be a longshot winner.
#6 Clairiere (2-1)
Clairiere hasn’t won a race since February, but she’s finished off the board only once in her eight-race career. Although she beat out Army Wife for second in the Alabama Stakes, The Steve Asmussen trainee has previously finished behind Cotillion rivals Maracuja and Always Carina. Exotics.
#8 Always Carina (6-1)
Always Carina is the lone speed in the Cotillion. The lightly raced Chad Brown trainee was a well-beaten fourth in the seven-furlong Test Stakes (G1) in her last start, the only time she was rated off of the pace.
In her start before the Test Stakes, Always Carina placed second in the 1 1/16 mile Mother Goose (G2), beating out Clairiere by a nose for the position. However, if jockey John Velazquez slows the pace, there may be enough left in the tank for Always Carina to steal the race. Exotics.
#1 Obligatory (10-1)
Obligatory is making her second start around two turns in the Cotillion. In her last start, the Grade 2 winner stumbled slightly at the start of the Test Stakes (G1) in early August and never recovered, finishing fifth. Previously, she closed strongly to just miss the victory by a half-length in the one-mile Acorn Stakes (G1).
However, the Bill Mott trainee has the pedigree and running style to handle 1 1/6-miles, and she runs well fresh. Live longshot.
Cotillion Stakes Quick Picks
The scratch of front-running Private Mission leaves Always Carina as the race’s lone speed. She could be tough to pass if she can slow the pace down and put some distance on the rest of the field. Army Wife, Maracuja, and Clairiere have tactical speed, and any one of them could press Always Carina on the pace to keep her honest.
- #4 Maracuja (8-1)
- #5 Army Wife (9-5)
- #6 Clairiere (2-1)
- #1 Obligatory (10-1)
