Breeders’ Cup Ladies’ Classic 2011 Report: Ask The Moon Wins Again

Older Fillies and Mares

Breeders’ Cup Ladies’ Classic 2011 is less than two months away and the head honchos in this division, Blind Luck and Havre de Grace, could meet for the seventh time in the Grade 1 Beldame at Belmont Park on October 1st.

Havre de Grace whipped the boys in the G1 Woodward at Saratoga on Sept 3, and her arch rival Blind Luck passed on the Pacific Classic. The latter is eyeing the G1 Beldame or G1 Lady’s Secret, both on Oct. 1.

Blind Luck worked a strong 4f at Hollywood on Sept 8 - photo by Eclipse Sportswire

Speaking of Blind Luck, she worked four furlongs in :47.40 at Hollywood Park on September 8.

Surprise G1 Ruffian winner Ask The Moon did the wire job thing again in the G1 Personal Ensign. She might travel west for the G1 Lady’s Secret, a race that might also feature Blind Luck.

Others looking at the Lady’s Secret include Ultra Blend and Zazu. The former worked 4f in :50.40 at Del Mar on 8-21, and the latter went 5f in 1:01.40 at Del Mar on 9-5.

Three-Year-Old Fillies

Royal Delta turned the tables on It’s Tricky in the G1 Alabama and it should be interesting to see where the talented 3yo fillies show up next. The Beldame is possible for the Alabama winner but that one is coming up tough and there are other options out there, including Keeneland’s G1 Spinster on synthetic footing.

Royal Delta breezed 4f in :51.64 at Saratoga (training track) on 9-3, and It’s Tricky has not worked since landing the place in the aforementioned Alabama. The latter could go next in the G2 Cotillion at Parx on Oct 1.

Breeders’ Cup Classic 2011 Report – Ladies First

Older Males…and Females

Look out Tizway. There’s a new sheriff in town and her name is Havre de Grace. The talented daughter of Saint Liam threw her hat into the 2011 Breeders’ Cup Classic ring after winning the Grade 1 Woodward against males on Sept 3.

Havre de Grace beat the boys at the Spa - photo by Eclipse Sportswire

Havre de Grace will return to the distaff ranks for Belmont’s G1 Beldame Oct 1, where she could meet her nemesis Blind Luck (see below). After that it is on to Churchill Downs for the Ladies’ Classic or male Classic. She earned a 111 BSF in the Woodward.

Flat Out followed up his solid place finish behind Tizway in the G1 Whitney with another runner-up effort in the Woodward. He seemed a bit uncomfortable racing wide and in between horses on the backstretch and found his best stride late. He romped earlier this year in the G2 Suburban at Belmont and his preferred wide, sweeping style works well at Big Sandy. The G1 Jockey Club Gold Cup and a rematch with top dog Tizway on October 1 is up next.

Rule set the Woodward pace and held the show in a respectable effort. He is a cut or two below the best but his early speed must be respected in a shallow handicap division.

Acclamation got away with soft splits and held Twirling Candy safe in the Grade 1 Pacific Classic at Del Mar on Aug 28.

The Goodwood on Oct 1 at Santa Anita is next for Twirling Candy, followed by the BC Dirt Mile or Classic.

Acclamation will probably go in the BC Turf if he points to any Cup race. No word on his next start but the grassy ten furlong Clement L Hirsch Turf Championship at Santa Anita on Oct 2 makes sense.

Talented late running filly Blind Luck passed on the Del Mar showcase and is expected to go next in the Lady’s Secret at Santa Anita or Beldame at Belmont, both on Oct 1. She worked 4f in :47.40 at Hollywood Park on Sept 8.

Three-Year-Olds

I have been covering the 3-year-old-crop of 2011 on Pick 6 Blog since last September and posted my latest Top 10 list on Sept 8.

Stay Thirsty is once again my top ranked 3YO after winning the G1 Travers. He will face older in the Jockey Club Gold Cup.

Some well known former top ten members have returned to my list, including The Factor, To Honor And Serve, and Uncle Mo.