Hollywood Park: Potesta will race just once more this summer

The West Coast 3 year old fillies this year are not anywhere close to being as strong as they were last year(Plum Pretty, Turbulent Descent, Zazu) or in 2010(Blind Luck, Evening Jewel, Switch). The field for the Hollywood Oaks did have 3 grade 1 winners, but it would have been difficult going in to have ranked any among the top 5 of the 3 year old filly division nationally. So, these weren't great horses Potesta defeated, and she only won by a desperate nose. However, there are some key things we must remember when judging Potesta on this performance and projecting her forward. First, this was just her 3rd start. And she was going from the maiden ranks to a grade 2. Let's not minimize how impressive such a class jump is. Secondly, in addition to the class jump she ran much faster in the Hollywood Oaks; the pace she pressed in the Oaks was about 2 seconds faster than the pace she set in that maiden victory. And even after prompting this quicker pace, she was still able to close her last sixteenth in about 6 and 3. Finally, Potesta had to show real heart, as Eden's Moon, back to running on the lead like she prefers, didn't quit(like she does when not on the lead). Usually, when a pacesetter loses the lead but then comes back to regain it in deep stretch, it wins. However, after passing Eden's Moon but then losing the lead after being bumped by that rival, Potesta surged for a second and final time. Again, for a filly making just her 3rd career start and first against winners, the fact she made two winning moves is darn right impressive. And Potesta received a Beyer of 100. The Mother Goose got a 94. Potesta has much to prove if she is to be taken as a top contender in the distaff division. However, I think the division is perhaps a tad overrated. If we take Royal Delta out of the equation, which is possible if she runs in the Classic, who is there? It's Tricky is hickory, but does she really scare anybody, particularly since she really doesn't run fast? Is Awesome Maria as good away from Gulfstream? Plum Pretty can be fast, but she doesn't always fire and the presence of another speed horse can compromise her. Awesome Feather has trouble remaining in training. As does Zazu. Include Me Out has never run a fast figure and might not want 9 furlongs on a dry surface. Broadway's Alibi is brilliant and did run well at 9 furlongs in the Oaks, but do you really trust her at that distance? Potesta doesn't make my top 5 right now, but the gap maybe isn't as great as some think, and she has room for improvement,

If she is going to race on September 2 and then once at Santa Anita before the BC, then how is it accurate for the headline to say she'll race just once more before the BC?

Its a sign of whats goin on with the Breeders Cup. Lightly racced horses are finishing in the money in the big races these are the ones that will mature and improve.

Because this course of action worked out so well for Turbulent Descent last year. She'll be running in 2 of the next 5 months. Yeah, not a recipe for success against the quality of horses she'll be facing. She'll be lucky to finish 5th.

Another throw out come Breeders Cup.

More great sportsmanship.

Fewer foals each year, horses racing so infrequently except for the poor bottom claimers who are forced to run every two weeks. The industry continues to turn a blind eye to it's own downfall. So sad. And the American breeders don't consider a Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner "good enough" for their breeding programs.

she beat nothing period,,,

This is an OUTSTANDING FILLY - and I will be making a future book on her for sure