Idiomatic defends her Crown in Spinster Stakes Showdown
By: Laurie Ross, Pedigree Power
The 1 1/8 mile contest over the main oval has been a springboard to greatness for many fillies and mares. In fact, the last three winners earned year-end championship honors as the Older Dirt Female, including Idiomatic.
This year, Idiomatic returns to defend her crown. The last mare to win consecutive runnings of the Spinster Stakes was Blue Prize (ARG) in 2018 and 2019. However, Idiomatic must fend off five other rivals, including Candied, who lost a head decision in the Alabama Stakes (G1).
The Spinster Stakes has a 5:16 PM ET post time on Sunday. The track is expected to be fast.
Let's review the field.
1. Idiomatic (3-5) fought gallantly every step of the way in an exciting renewal of the 1 1/8 mile Personal Ensign Stakes (G1) at Saratoga. The 5-year-old mare battled Randomized through increasingly fast fractions, and that one threw in the towel before the 1/8 pole. Leg-weary down the stretch, Curlin's daughter drifted in and out, unable to hold off the furious charge of Raging Sea and was defeated by a head.
Idiomatic traveled 1
1/8 miles in 1:49, with a :13 final furlong, earning a career-best 104 Brisnet
speed rating. Conditioned by Brad Cox, the Spinster is Idiomatic's race to
lose. Win contender.
2. Candied (9-2) chased a solid pace from mid-pack in the 1 ¼ mile Alabama Stakes (G1) at Saratoga. She circled the field at the 3/8 pole but was unfocused and erratic down the stretch after a chain reaction bumping around the turn. The Todd Pletcher trainee got back on track when Power Squeeze passed, and Candied got her head back in the game and ran with that one. The pair had a thrilling battle to the wire, which Candied lost by a head.
Candied
completed 1 ¼ miles in 2:24.35 with a final quarter of 26.71; Candy Ride's daughter
may enjoy the distance cut back. However, as the only 3-year-old in the
Spinster, she must stay focused to prove her talent. If Idiomatic stubs a hoof,
Candied may be the first to benefit. Exotics.
3. Loved (10-1) made her debut as an early 3-year-old but was given time off until the following year. She rewarded her connections with three straight victories at three different tracks, including Keeneland. The free-running mare couldn't keep up the tempo in a pair of Grade 3 contests, finishing fourth in the Molly Pitcher Stakes and a year later in the Baird Doubledogdare Stakes.
Brendan Walsh changed Loved's running style, taking her off the pace in her next start, the Mari Hulman George Memorial Handicap at Horseshoe Indianapolis, where she outclassed her rivals by two lengths.
Loved couldn't get
it together in her last race, the Locust Grove Stakes (G2), and finished a
distant sixth. This half-sister to Grade 1 hero Maxfield isn't living up to
expectations, and I'm not feeling the love. Pass.
4. Honor D Lady (4-1) has finished off the board only twice in her 13-race career. As a tune-up for the Spinster, the 4-year-old daughter of Honor Code dominated the 1 3/16 mile Delaware Handicap (G2) by 5 ½ lengths over an accomplished field that included CCA Oaks (G1) heroine Wet Paint.
The Saffie
Joseph, Jr. trainee completed the distance in 1:59.89 and earned a career-best
97 speed rating. Honor D Lady could emulate her distant relative, the champion Inside
Information, who captured the 1995 Spinster Stakes.
5. Bow Draw (30-1) is the "why?" horse in
the Spinster. She was last seen finishing a distant third against optional
claimers at Churchill. She last visited the winner's circle in February, against
allowance 1x types. Pass.
6. Occult (8-1) is competitive against graded and listed types, but her sole graded victory was a 10-length score in last year's Monmouth Oaks (G3). She's been knocking at the door since, placing third or fourth in four subsequent stakes.
Most recently, she closed for second against Allowance
types, unable to catch the lone speed at a mile. The Chad Brown trainee isn't a
Grade 1 winning caliber filly yet, but she can pick up the pieces. Exotics.
Analysis
All but two of the last ten Spinster heroines won their last race. The Personal Ensign Stakes is the key prep; half of the Spinster winners used it as a springboard, including the previous three winners.
No particular running style is favored; pacesetters, pressers, and closers have been successful, although pacesetters captured the last three editions of the Spinster. Surprisingly, only three favorites won the Spinster, and three placed second or third.
There aren't any need-the-lead types in the Spinster; however, Idiomatic will likely contest the pace from post 1. She could be lone speed in this small field but could be closely hounded by Loved and Occult.
Honor D Lady and Candied have tactical speed. I predict a chalky finish. (cough).
Selections
1. Idiomatic (3-5)
2. Candied (9-2)
4. Honor D Lady (4-1)
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