Finley'sluckycharm Out to Show Breeders' Cup Readiness
October 6th, 2017
Speedy mare Finley’sluckycharm will be out to prove her readiness for the Breeders’ Cup when she faces six opponents in the Thoroughbred Club of America Stakes (G2) at Keeneland Oct. 7.
The race is a Breeders’ Cup Challenge race, earning the winner automatic entry to the Filly & Mare Sprint, and it’s usually a good guide; three of its winners (Informed Decision, Dubai Majesty, and Groupie Doll) and two placegetters then went on to win the Filly & Mare Sprint.
Finley’sluckycharm has rarely run poorly in her career. From 11 starts she’s had eight wins and two second-place finishes, with her only unplaced effort coming when she failed to stay 1 1/16 miles in the Rachel Alexandra Stakes (G2).
She suffered her first defeat as a sprinter when finishing second by a half length to Constellation in the La Brea Stakes last December. This year she won her first three races, all at Churchill Downs (two of them grade three races) before being defeated by a neck in the Honorable Miss Handicap (G2) at Saratoga by the quality sprinting mare Paulassilverlining.
With no opponents with records to match Paulassilverlining in this race, Finley’sluckycharm is rated a 3-5 morning-line chance and she’ll be tough to beat.
Heading from California to take her on is Bendable. Third in this race last year, she’s since won the Desert Stormer Stakes (G3) before finishing third to Skye Diamonds and the aforementioned Constellation in the Rancho Bernardo Handicap (G2).
The 3-year-old filly Vertical Oak comes into the race after a solid year in the division, which includes victories in the Miss Preakness Stakes (G3) and the Prioress Stakes (G2).
Ivy Bell, second to Finley’sluckycharm in the Chicago Handicap (G3), starts after losing her rider in the Open Mind Stakes Sept. 16, a race won by disqualification by Grace’s Treasure, another who returns for this race. I’m a Looker and Chalon both have enough form to suggest they can get some of the money.
Though it’s a good field, Finley’sluckycharm looks the one to beat, and the best betting strategy might be to look for multiples behind her.
The race is a Breeders’ Cup Challenge race, earning the winner automatic entry to the Filly & Mare Sprint, and it’s usually a good guide; three of its winners (Informed Decision, Dubai Majesty, and Groupie Doll) and two placegetters then went on to win the Filly & Mare Sprint.
Finley’sluckycharm has rarely run poorly in her career. From 11 starts she’s had eight wins and two second-place finishes, with her only unplaced effort coming when she failed to stay 1 1/16 miles in the Rachel Alexandra Stakes (G2).
She suffered her first defeat as a sprinter when finishing second by a half length to Constellation in the La Brea Stakes last December. This year she won her first three races, all at Churchill Downs (two of them grade three races) before being defeated by a neck in the Honorable Miss Handicap (G2) at Saratoga by the quality sprinting mare Paulassilverlining.
With no opponents with records to match Paulassilverlining in this race, Finley’sluckycharm is rated a 3-5 morning-line chance and she’ll be tough to beat.
Heading from California to take her on is Bendable. Third in this race last year, she’s since won the Desert Stormer Stakes (G3) before finishing third to Skye Diamonds and the aforementioned Constellation in the Rancho Bernardo Handicap (G2).
The 3-year-old filly Vertical Oak comes into the race after a solid year in the division, which includes victories in the Miss Preakness Stakes (G3) and the Prioress Stakes (G2).
Ivy Bell, second to Finley’sluckycharm in the Chicago Handicap (G3), starts after losing her rider in the Open Mind Stakes Sept. 16, a race won by disqualification by Grace’s Treasure, another who returns for this race. I’m a Looker and Chalon both have enough form to suggest they can get some of the money.
Though it’s a good field, Finley’sluckycharm looks the one to beat, and the best betting strategy might be to look for multiples behind her.
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