Hungarian Princess tries two turns in Miss Indiana; Dilsboro Devil stuck in post 11 in Futurity
More than any other Indiana-bred 2-year-old colt, gelding, or filly so far this year, Hungarian Princess has dominated statebred-restricted competition at Indiana Grand. But that superiority has been asserted in sprint races and on Tuesday, in the $75,000 Miss Indiana Stakes, we’ll see how Hungarian Princess fares in a two-turn start.
The Miss Indiana, restricted to Indiana-bred 2-year-old fillies, shares top billing on the card with the $75,000 Indiana Futurity, another one mile and 70-yard race, this one with no sex restriction.
One need only look back to last Friday at Keeneland for a reminder about the transition from one turn to two. Jackie’s Warrior, dominant in his first four races, was the odds-on favorite to win the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile in his first try around two turns. He raced competitively but lost, beaten by horses better suited on the day to racing over a route of ground.
Now, Hungarian Princess is no Jackie’s Warrior, but her three Indiana-bred starts this year produced a seven-length maiden win and open-length romps in a pair of stakes races, the most recent with a double restriction: Indiana-bred and Indiana-sired. Her sire, Pataky Kid, was a capable middle-distance turf horse, but her dam, Help the Children, was a sprinter. Maybe Hungarian Princess towers over the opposition to the extent that distance doesn’t matter right now, but is that a bet you want to make at something like even money?
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There are 11 others in the main body of this field, plus two also eligibles. Competition could come from any number of fronts, but the tepid selection is Diamond Solitaire. Following a smooth second-start maiden win, Diamond Solitaire was favored to beat Hungarian Princess in the City of Anderson Stakes, but might’ve bounced coming back on about two weeks’ rest.
In the Indiana Stallion Futurity she finished second, beaten about four lengths by Hungarian Princess, who shook loose on a clear lead racing over a sloppy track. Diamond Solitaire has stamina influences in her pedigree and a steady racing style that could translate well to Tuesday’s trip.
Indiana Futurity
Dilsboro Devil stepped up from a strong debut victory into the Oct. 28 Crown Ambassador Stakes and won that easily, skipping over a sloppy track to beat seven rivals going six furlongs. In the Indiana Futurity on Tuesday, a full field is entered against him and he has a poor draw, 11, with a short run to the first of two turns.
More horses here have raced at route distances than in the Miss Indiana Stakes, but none has distinguished himself. The pick to post an upset is Rockin All Night, who has improved with every start this summer and fall, and closed to finish second in the Crown Ambassador. He has the pedigree to step forward at two turns.