Group-placed Dazzling will try to transfer her good form to United States
RACE REPLAY IS NOT AVAILABLE
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – By a class and form evaluation, Wednesday’s ninth race at Churchill Downs, a $45,000 second-level allowance for 3-year-old fillies, seems likely to be won by Dazzling, an Irish import who is multiple Group 3-placed against top-class European fillies Venus de Milo and Tarfasha.
Craig Bernick of Glen Hill Farm, which owns Dazzling with Hill ‘n’ Dale Equine Holdings, still is tempering expectations, noting that she was purchased primarily as a broodmare prospect from Coolmore with the added hope of U.S. racing success. But two others he purchased along with Dazzling from Coolmore have not matched their overseas form in the States.
“If she’s half the filly she was in Ireland, she should win,” Bernick said. “But I’m a little skeptical given the other ones, how they’ve run.”
The ninth race drew eight other turf fillies, plus three main-track-only entrants. The top grass prospects include stakes winner Annulment, recent allowance winner In My Time, and stakes-class droppers Baroness Rose, Awesome Jill, Enjoy the Family, and Cabana.
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: No. 2 Baroness Rose. Trainer Mike Maker is 32-15-3-3 with a $2.90 ROI over the past two years in turf routes at Churchill with Rosie Napravnik up.Click for more details. – Mike Hogan
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Dazzling, a daughter of Galileo, has trained slowly leading up to her U.S. debut, with her last published work being a five-furlong move around the dogs in 1:06.40 on the Keeneland turf course Oct. 9.
Bernick believes Keeneland clockers missed another turf work about a week ago. “She picked it up,” he said.
Channing Hill rides Dazzling, who is trained by Tom Proctor. She adds Lasix for the first time Wednesday.
Although conditions are expected to be dry Wednesday, rain is expected Tuesday and could leave a wet turf course – which would suit Dazzling.
KEY CONTENDERS
In My Time (Last 3 Beyers: 82-80-78)
◗ Like most progeny of Scat Daddy, she has shown an affinity for grass, finishing first or second in all four of her starts on the surface.
Annulment (Last 3 Beyers: 73-44-79)
◗ Outrun in two straight graded stakes races, she won the Hatoof Stakes three starts ago at Arlington on Aug. 16.
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: No. 1 Annulment. Trainer Victoria Oliver is 46-1-8-11 with a $0.18 ROI over the past five years in turf routes at Churchill.Click for more details. – Mike Hogan
Awesome Jill (Last 3 Beyers: 78-77-81)
◗ She ran sixth and third in her only two previous starts on turf but is much improved since those starts, which came early in her career. Having run quickly on dirt, she stands to benefit if heavy rain Tuesday results in Wednesday’s race being moved to the main track.
Dazzling (No Beyers)
◗ She was well regarded by punters overseas, going off favored in the Group 3 Blue Wind Stakes when matched against Tarfasha. She ran third behind her, beaten 6 1/4 lengths.