East Coast West Coast Turf Fillies and Mares
We got the freight train home last week. Sierra Leone moved back up the ladder with a strong win as the second choice in The Whitney. Let’s see what we can do on both coasts with the turf fillies and mares this week.
The Saratoga Oaks Invitational shapes up as a tactical battle, with the front-running Opulent Restraint looming as a potential wire-to-wire threat. The daughter of Dubawi has flashed serious early speed in her recent efforts, and if she’s allowed to control the tempo up front, she could prove very tough to reel in over the Saratoga inner turf. Her high cruising speed and stamina make her a natural for the 1 3/16-mile distance, and she enters this race in sharp form. I like speed in the longer turf races as most of you already know.
But with that said she won’t be handed the race easily, not with the classy Go Go Boots in the mix. This filly has faced some of the top gals in England, including Minnie Hauk and Whirl, and was not disgraced. While she may not possess the same early foot as Opulent Restraint, Go Go Boots has shown a style that can wear down speedsters late, especially if the fractions are honest. Her replays are good not great, but I expect her to move forward here with Miguel Clement.
The key should lie in the pace scenario and course. I expect it to be firm. If Opulent Restraint gets loose on the lead without pressure, she could slip away and make them all chase in vain. But if Go Go Boots is close enough turning for home and the pace takes a toll, her class and experience against Euros may carry her to the winner’s circle. It’s a classic speed-versus-stalk dynamic, and one that could make this year’s Saratoga Oaks a thrilling stretch battle.
Although she has yet to win on the turf with both previous wins on synthetic, I’m going to give the slight nod to Go Go Boots to get up in here. Evershed is also improving and can sneak into the exotics but doesn’t look fast or good enough for a win at this point. Perhaps later down the road.
Saturday’s Grade 2 Yellow Ribbon Stakes at Del Mar brings together a competitive field of older fillies and mares going 1 1/16 miles on the turf, but my eyes will be on the European import Heredia, who could be sitting on her best U.S. performance yet.
Trained by Graham Motion, Heredia is making her third start off a two-year layoff, and the signs are pointing toward a big race in my opinion. Last time out at Saratoga, she ran a sneaky-good race finishing with interest while wide in the stretch. That trip offered little in the way of racing luck, but plenty of encouragement moving forward. With two solid foundation runs now under her belt, she looks like she may be primed for a peak performance.
Her back class adds serious intrigue. A glance at her 2023 form overseas reveals a third-place finish behind none other than Inspiral, the talented Breeders’ Cup winner. That Group 1 performance leaps off the page to me and stamps her as a true quality threat in this group.
It’s also telling that connections chose to ship Heredia west rather than keep her at Saratoga, likely seeking the reliable firm turf at Del Mar. That’s a savvy move, especially for a filly who appears to do her best running over a sound surface. With a 6-for-15 lifetime record, Heredia has shown an appetite for winning, and with the right trip, she could add a U.S. graded win to her résumé.
The Yellow Ribbon shapes up as a key summer turf event, and if Heredia moves forward again, she just might steal the spotlight in the seaside sun. I think she must beat the comebacker Public Assembly. This filly said hello to the west coast after leaving Chad Browns barn with back-to-back wins. She flopped in the Grade 1 but is fresh for a dangerous barn. I’ll be on Heredia but have my eyes on this one also turning for home.
Enjoy the races and win the photos!