2015 Mazarine Stakes Preview
The Road to the Kentucky Oaks will continue this Sunday with one final race from Woodbine. The Grade 3 Mazarine Stakes will be run over the main synthetic track at the Toronto area race track.
The Mazarine Stakes will be run at 1 1/16 miles with a compact field of six horses entered. The purse is $150,000 and will also have points available to the top four finishers. The winner of the race will receive 10 points, second place will receive 4 points, third place will receive 2 points, and fourth place will receive one point.
The points earned will help determine the entrants for the 2016 Kentucky Oaks. The Kentucky Oaks Points Leaderboard can be found here and is updated as of Saturday, October 3, 2015.
The Grade 3 Mazarine is scheduled for 3:25 PM Eastern Time and is carded as the sixth race on a 10 race program. Free past performances can be found here by going to October 4, 2015 and going to Woodbine – Race 6. Entries have also been provided in the table below.
| Post Position | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Morning Line Odds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Audacious Bear | Gary Boulanger | Michael De Paulo | 12-1 |
| 2 | Swoop and Strike | Eurico Da Silva | Malcolm Pierce | 3-1 |
| 3 | Conquest Soprano | Patrick Husbands | Mark Casse | 9-2 |
| 4 | Gamble's Ghost | Luis Contreras | Josie Carroll | 4-5 |
| 5 | Allwehaveisnow | David Garcia | Ricky Griffith | 20-1 |
| 6 | Garavogue Colleen | David Moran | Michael Doyle | 10-1 |
1. Audacious Bear – She debut in a Canadian maiden special weight contest on July 12 going 5 furlongs. She sat in the middle of the field before tiring badly in the stretch. She finished last of 8 by 16 lengths that day. Six weeks later, she returned to the same class level, but was sent 7 furlongs. She had a completely different style going to the lead and holding on for a 3/4 of a length win. She steps way up in class today and she will try to take them gate-to-wire in her first start around two turns. Tough to like her from a win perspective.
2. Swoop and Strike – She was slated to start on the grass in her debut, but it was rained off the turf and put at 7 furlongs on the main track. That did not hurt her as she broke last and closed from about five lengths off the pace to score by a nice 3 length margin. That race sets her up well for this spot and she should have a better start this time around. She has a big chance to win this race.
3. Conquest Soprano – This filly is the most experience with five starts under her belt. Her debut actually came in June at Churchill Downs going 5 furlongs. She had a really good trip behind the leaders and tried to close, but finished second by 1 3/4 lengths. She then ran in the My Dear Stakes at Woodbine where she finished third by 9 lengths after an even effort. A drop back to the maiden ranks in start number 3 resulted in a second by 3/4 of a length after a battle down the stretch. She tried to to press the pace in her fourth start, but ended up losing by 8 1/4 lengths to Gamble’s Ghost. She finally broke through in her fifth start with an off the pace effort. She had to battle all the way to the wire, but held on by a neck. She appears to be a step below the best in here, particularly the horse to her outside.
4. Gamble’s Ghost – She debuted here on August 14 with an impressive run. She had a poor break and had to sit well off the pace. She quickened impressively on the far turn as she made up 5 1/2 lengths and won by 8 1/4 in the end. Next up was the Grade 2 Natalma where she tried to run the same race. She could not catch the runaway winner with a second by 5 lengths. She should enjoy the two turns and despite being the heavy favorite, she is the choice here.
5. Allwehaveisnow – She won her only race on August 26. She ran in a $50K maiden claimer where she took the lead soon after the start and did not have any trouble after that. She won by 5 lengths that day and now goes into Grade 3 company. If she tries to go to the lead, she will have to battle with the rail horse and that could knock both of them by race end.
6. Garavogue Colleen – She made her debut on September 13 in a race slated for the grass, but taken off and put on the main track at 1 1/16 miles. She sat off the pace and went by the leaders in the stretch to win by 3 1/4 lengths. That was only a field of four horses that day, but it was at this distance of 8.5 furlongs. She is a conundrum in this spot, but worth a glance at underneath.
Selections
This is a short field and there are only two options from the win angle. #4 Gamble’s Ghost should enjoy the two turns and has ran the most impressive races of any horses in this field. #2 Swoop and Strike is the only other horse that could cause an upset from this point of view. A better break and a good spot in front of Gamble’s Ghost could give her the first run and needed distance to stave her off. For third, #6 Garavogue Colleen will be taken. She won at this distance in her debut, albeit against a tiny field of only four horses. She could improve to take the show dough.
Top selection – #4 Gamble’s Ghost
2nd selection – #2 Swoop and Strike
3rd selection – #6 Garavogue Colleen
Check back on Sunday evening for a recap of the Grade 3 Mazarine Stakes.