Trainer – Chad C Brown
Jockey – Irad Ortiz jr
Fourstar Crook holds strong claims off the back off victory in the Flower Bowl Stakes (G1), and has not finished outside the places in the ten starts in her career.
1. Fourstar Crook
2. Thais
Trainer – Chad C Brown
Jockey – Manuel Franco
4yo filly who won a claimer back in May, and finished third behind Sistercharlie, (Fourstar Crook 2nd) in the Grade 1 Beverly D Stakes back in August.
3. Wild Illusion
Trainer – Charlie Appleby
Jockey – William Buick
After finding one too good in both the Epsom Oaks and the Ribblesdale Stakes at Royal Ascot earlier this season, Wild Illusion arrives here in cracking form – most recently winning the Prix de l’Opera on Arc weekend. She also won the Nassau Stakes at Glorious Goodwood in some style back in August, and holds a strong hand here.
4. Paved
Trainer – Michael McCarthy
Jockey – Joel Rosario
One of the youngest entries in the field, Paved finished second in a valuable Grade 1 at Santa Anita over a month ago, but will need a career best to go one better here.
5. Princess Yaiza
Trainer – Gavin Cromwell
Jockey – Andrea Atzeni
Gavin Cromwell sends Princess Yaiza from Ireland, after an overdue win in the Qatar Prix de Royallieu at Longchamp in October. Prior to that, she finished in the places on her previous five outings, finishing a neck second in both of her last two. Good claims.
6. Sistercharlie
Trainer – Chad C Brown
Jockey – John Velazquez
Irish bred filly who has an eyecatching pedigree. Will be vying for favouritism, having won the Beverly D Stakes (G1) back in August, beating many of today’s rivals. Will be an interesting clash against the best of Europe.
7. Smart Choice
Trainer – Todd Pletcher
Jockey – Flavien Prat
Argentinian mare, whose form in the last four races reads: 4321; with the 1 coming in a Group 1 at Monterrico. Outside chance.
8. Fuhriously Kissed
Trainer – Anthony T Quartarolo
Jockey – Tyler Gaffalione
Most of her form comes on the dirt or All Weather, and might be one to draw a line through.
9. A Raving Beauty
Trainer – Chad C Brown
Jockey – Javier Castellano
Germany mare, who won the First Lady Stakes (G1) in October, holding on gamely in the closing stages.
10. Magic Wand
Trainer – Aiden O’Brien
Jockey – Ryan Moore
Ignoring a poor run in the Irish Oaks, Magic Wand has had a fairly consistent season. In the Epsom equivalent, she finished fourth behind stable companion Forever Together – with Wild Illusion in second. She turned the form around at Royal Ascot, when beating the Godolphin filly convincingly in the Ribblesdale Stakes, only to finish second her behind her in the l’Opera. Looks set for another battle against her old rival.
11. Moms On Strike
Trainer – Joe Sharp
Jockey – Adam Beschizza
Sent off a short-priced favourite in both her two most recent outings, where she was beaten both times by Lynn Ashby-trained Tricky Escaped.
12. Santa Monica
Trainer – Chad C Brown
Jockey – Jose Ortiz
Another for the Chad C Brown battalion, is a son of the great Mastercraftsman, who won the Irish 2000 Guineas, and finished second in a Juddmonte International.
13. Athena
Trainer – Aiden O’Brien
Jockey – Wayne Lordan
Many lengths to find on some of today’s rivals – particularly the Brits, having finished a distant eighth in the l’Opera at Longchamp. Cannot take your eye off the her fourth in the Irish Champion Stakes performance behind Roaring Lion, who lines up in the Classic. A repeat of that performance will stand her in good stead here.
14. Eziyra
Trainer – Dermot Weld
Jockey – Frankie Dettori
Third to eventual Arc second Sea of Class in the Darley Yorkshire Oaks. Followed that up in some style in the Group 2 Blandford Stakes at the Curragh in September. Surely holds a great each-way chance and cannot be ignored.