2015 Frizette Stakes Preview
The Road to the 2016 Kentucky Oaks continues its busy weekend with the Grade 1 Frizette Stakes from Belmont Park on Saturday, October 3.
The Frizette Stakes has dual positives for the winner. First, a berth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies is up for grabs. The second, is that the winner receives 10 points towards the Kentucky Oaks Points Leaderboard, which will determine the entrants for the 2016 Kentucky Oaks. Second place will receive 4 points, third place will receive 2 points, and fourth place will receive one point.
The Grade 1 Frizette Stakes will be run at one mile on the main track at Belmont. It will be a one-turn mile with a purse of $400,000 and has a field of seven two-year old fillies.
Post time for the Frizette is scheduled for 3:43 PM Eastern Time and is carded as the seventh of 11 races. Free past performances can be found here by going to Saturday, October 3 and looking for race 7 at Belmont Park. Entries have been provided in the table below.
| Post Position | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Morning Line Odds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | She's All Ready | Junior Alvarado | James Ryerson | 3-1 |
| 2 | Width | Jose Ortiz | Christophe Clement | 5-2 |
| 3 | Nemoralia | Joel Rosario | Jeremy Noseda | 5-1 |
| 4 | Anna Rae | Joe Bravo | Jeremiah Englehart | 20-1 |
| 5 | Nickname | Javier Castellano | Steven Asmussen | 7-2 |
| 6 | Desert Tune | John Velazquez | Tom Albertrani | 8-1 |
| 7 | Where's the D | Irad Ortiz Jr. | Doug O'Neill | 10-1 |
1. She’s All Ready – She made her debut at Saratoga in a New York bred maiden special weight race and absolutely dominated that field. She went gate-to-wire and won by 8 1/4 lengths while not being pushed the final sixteenth. Her second race was also at Saratoga, but a step up into a New York bred stake race. She did not have such an easy time, as she had to fight for the lead. Despite the duel, she was able to draw off in the end and win by 3 lengths. She has not gone this far in her career, but this one mile race will be around one turn and she will probably have company on the lead. She has a big chance if she can control the race and must not be ignored.
2. Width – Like most of these fillies, she also debuted at Saratoga. She went 5.5 furlongs in her debut in the open maiden special weight ranks. She had an awkward break, but was still able to find a nice spot in the middle of the pack. She came wide on the turn and took the lead in the stretch. She won by 2 1/2 lengths in the end. The stretch out to a mile should not be an issue and she should be better from the gate the second time. If she can get another good stalking trip, which could be easy with quite a bit of speed, she is very dangerous here.
3. Nemoralia – This filly is the most experienced filly in this race with four starts, all coming in Great Britain. She ran a decent race in her debut on June 19, finishing fifth of 13 horses going 6 furlongs on the turf. Her second race saw her improve with a second place finish by 2 3/4 lengths going 7 furlongs. She finally broke her maiden in her third start, which was also at 7 furlongs, but over the synthetic surface of Kempton Park. Her latest start was a return to turf, but it resulted in her second win. She won by a length over 18 horses that day going 6.5 furlongs. There is some talent here, but the question is will she handle the dirt?
4. Anna Rae – She broke her maiden first out in a $65K Maiden Claimer at Saratoga. She was off the lead in that race, came wide on the turn and into the stretch, and then drew away to win by 11. It was impressive enough to her connections to enter her in the Grade 1 Spinaway at 7 furlongs. She sat off the lead again, but the kick was not there as she was fourth by 9 1/4 lengths. She is facing a similar quality field here, which means she may find her late kick ineffective. On the other hand, she could like the extra furlong. Mixed signals from this filly.
5. Nickname – She had an interesting debut. She broke decent and sat midpack, she made a move on the turn (while having some traffic troubles), but could not find a late kick. She finished fourth by 6 3/4 lengths behind Rachel’s Valentina (Grade 1 Spinaway winner). Her second race was much better and cleaner. She went straight for the lead where she had to duel, but she put away that foe and won by 3 1/2 lengths. If she tries to go to the lead again, she will have plenty of company from the rail horse and outside horse. Tough to back if that is the plan.
6. Desert Tune – She debuted at Saratoga as well, but that race left a lot to be desired. She broke last of ten, made up some ground on the turn, but flattened out to finish sixth by 6 1/4 lengths going 5.5 furlongs. Her second start was here at Belmont going the distance of one mile. She broke much better and sat closer to the pace until the stretch. At that point, she was asked for her run and she provided it with a 2 1/4 length win. She has quite a bit going for her: a win at the distance and over this track, a nice stalking style, and a switch to a top jockey. The one concern is the quality of her maiden win. Intriguing filly at a solid price in this race.
7. Where’s The D – She has two starts, both at Del Mar. Her debut was on August 16 where she sat near the back of the field, but not too far away. She had to go wide in the stretch and had not late kick, as she finished seventh by 1/4 lengths. Her second race saw a change in tactics. She went straight to the lead where she had to battle for it. She was able to clear in the lane and won by 1 3/4 lengths at big odds of 34.50-1. If she is going to be intent on the lead, she will have plenty of company, which will hurt her chances. This will also be her first race beyond 5.5 furlongs and one has to wonder how she will handle the trip from California to New York.
Selections
This race has both speed and off the pace type fillies. It remains to be seen which horses will be going to the lead to set the the pace. #2 Width has every reason to improve off her debut and should be able to settle behind the leaders. #1 She’s All Ready will be going to the lead, but she has proven to be able to win a battle if need be. She is stepping up in class, but has looked good in her two wins. #6 Desert Tune is probably a bit short on class in this race, but could end up with a good trip. Plus, we know she likes this track and distance.
Top selection – #2 Width
2nd selection – #1 She’s All Ready
3rd selection – #6 Desert Tune
A recap of the Grade 1 Frizette will be posted on Saturday evening.