Boiling Springs Stakes appears wide open
The Grade 3, $100,000 Boiling Springs Stakes at Monmouth Park on Saturday is a head-scratcher in the first degree.
The 1 1/8-mile turf race for 3-year-old fillies drew a field of 10. The Level 1 handicapping approach leads to Isabella Sings and Pine Needles, the one-two finishers in the quicker division of the Little Silver Stakes at Monmouth on July 26. Isabella Sings set even fractions on the lead that day and came home well to hold off Pine Needles by three-quarters of a length.
On Saturday, it looks like Isabella Sings might have more company on the front end. Rachel Wall, who set a very similar pace in the slower leg of the Little Silver when beaten a nose, returns here. Gypsy Judy also likes to race near the front and could apply pressure.
Finally, Pine Needles was a bit farther back than usual in the Little Silver but could endup in a nice stalking spot behind the leaders Saturday.
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Also consider that Chad Brown has three entrants. Strict Compliance is dropping following an even effort in the Grade 2 Lake Placid. Bishop’s Pond has finished well to win consecutive maiden and allowance races on the grass in New York. Sivoliere has not yet been able to duplicate her French form in four U.S. starts.
Graham Motion, the trainer of Rachel Wall, has a second entrant in Jellicle Ball, a British import who was only beaten a length when sixth in the Grade 2 Lake George at Saratoga after having a difficult inside trip. There could be a lot more ability here than it appears at first glance.
KEY CONTENDERS
Pine Needles (Last 3 Beyers: 85-86-88)
◗ Her close third to Lady Eli in the Wonder Again at Belmont in May and her second to Consumer Credit in the Memories of Silver over yielding ground at Aqueduct in April point out her quality.
Strict Compliance (Last 3 Beyers: 85-92-86)
◗ Her late run in the Lake Placid was compromised by a slow early pace and quick closing splits.
Jellicle Ball (Beyer: 89)
◗ She never really had a clear path in the Lake George yet was beaten only a length. She’s going to improve here. The question is how much?
Isabella Sings (Last 3 Beyers: 87-4-80)
◗ She is likely to commit to the front end. If others don’t and she is allowed to set a galloping pace, she can take them a long way.
Bishop’s Pond (Last 3 Beyers: 87-78-78)
◗ She made a quick move to the lead in upper stretch to break open the race in her 1 3/16-mile, first-level allowance victory. The 1 1/8 miles of the Boiling Springs should be perfect for her.