A Glorious Mile for Stakes Saturday

On this glorious Stakes Saturday we take a look at a wonderful graded stakes mile on the edge of Kentucky.

Ellis Park Race 8 {Gardenia~G3~1 mile~3 year old Up~fillies/mares~Stakes}
A wholesome field of twelve lively ladies will enter the gate for this annual stakes affair.  This superlative race has attracted gals whose last outings were at tracks like Aqueduct, Canterbury, Woodbine, Churchill, Prairie Meadows, Delaware, Gulfstream, and Mountaineer.  Aside from the champion, Groupie Doll, who is head and shoulders above this field, all are equally comparable in terms of speed numbers.  Two millionaires are entered, Dixie Strike and of course, Groupie Doll.  There is sufficient speed and forwardly placed types to keep the pace swift.  It should be a splendid race to wager and watch.

#2 Groupie Doll (Maragh / Bradley) will be the favorite and should be able to dispatch this group with relative ease.  She is coming off an extended layoff with the best workout tab of four superb works including two bullets.  This magnificent daughter of Bowman's Band holds the highest speed number at the distance and is 100% in the money in four tries at same.  She has also notched two wins at Ellis in two starts.  Will be exceptionally tough to beat while being forwardly placed.
$2 WIN.

#10 Twice the Lady (Santana / Asmussen) could challenge despite a dud in her last out at Delaware.  She holds the second highest (tie) speed at the distance and is also 100% in the money over seven races at same.  Trainer, Steve Asmussen, has geared her up with four impressive workouts during a sixty day freshening.  This daughter of Quiet American should find herself close to the pace ready to strike in the lane.
$2 PLACE / $3 SHOW.

#8 Ciguaraya (Lanerie / Kenneally) should contend well with Groupie Doll's supporting cast.  She holds a couple of decent last out speed numbers, a two race progression, and three robust workouts.  This daughter of Latent Heat is also 100% in the money at the distance in two efforts.  She has the third highest speed at the distance.  Expect her to be running close to the leaders angling for an opening to hit the board.
$2 SHOW.

Other Wagering Interests

#9 Devious Intent (Morales / Gorder) should be in the hunt with the second highest last out speed number, a three race progression, and three snappy, peaking workouts.  She has the tactical speed to patiently wait to see how the pace develops.  This special daughter of Dixie Uniion comes into this fresh after a brief layoff.

#7 Itsabeautifulthing (Court / Von Hemel) should be in the mix with the third highest (tie) last out speed number, a three race progression, and two stout workouts.  She has won two races at this distance in two starts.  This daughter of speedster Henny Hughes should be closing quickly in the stretch.

10 CENT Superfecta

#2 Groupie Doll / #10 Twice the Lady / #8 Ciguaraya / #9 Devious Intent, #7 Itsabeautifulthing.



Friday's Results
Arlington Park R7.  Optional Claiming.  Our first pick, The Best Option, finished 5th.  Our second pick, Richysthundergal, was scratched.
Due to the scratch we scuttled our 10 CENT Superfecta play.  Superfecta went 3-6-1-8.
Bankroll gets clipped to $5.24.
We will supplement with a Hamilton for todays Stakes Saturday.