Iotapa headlines Clement Hirsch
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Photo:
Benoit Photo
This year’s running of the Grade 1 Clement L. Hirsch Stakes might as well be renamed the Grade 1 John and Jerry Show Stakes for
this year only. Trainers John Sadler and Jerry Hollendorfer send out 6 of the 7
entries, saddling three runners apiece. Contested at 1 1/16 mile on Del Mar’s
main, all weather track, the Hirsch is a “Win and You’re In” race for the
Breeders’ Cup Distaff. Since the inception of the Breeders’ Cup Distaff, 4
filles/mares have completed the Hirsch-Distaff double: Zenyatta in 2008, Azeri
in 2002, Bayakoa in 1990 and Princess Rooney in 1984. In 2009,
Zenyatta took the feat a step further, accomplishing a Hirsch-Breeders’ Cup
Classic double.
Seven fillies and mares were entered in this year’s renewal
of the historic race, and of the 7 entered, 6 are previous graded stakes winner
with one having the distinction of being a grade 1 winner. The group is fairly
evenly matched, and the imposts only vary by 4 pounds from lowest to highest.
From the rail out, here is the field for the Hirsch:
Fiftyshadesofhay—As
a three-year old, Fiftyshadesofhay was a force to be reckoned with. She appears
to have lost a step in her four-year old season, however, recording just 1 win
and 1 show from 4 starts. Her preferred surface is dirt, but she does own a win
and a place on the all weather surface from 3 starts. Fiftyshadesofhay
certainly can’t be dismissed, but she’s not my top pick.
Iotapa—Absolutely
demolished the Grade 1 Vanity field in her last start. She went straight to the
lead and was never contested, drawing away to win by 10 lengths. She’s never
been out of the exacta on artificial surfaces and appears to have rounded back
into peak form after a dismal performance in the G1 Humana Distaff. Her Del Mar
works have looked solid, and she enters this spot looking mighty formidable despite
carrying high weight of 123 lbs.
Broken Sword—Enters
off a six month layoff. She won the G2 Bayakoa in frontrunning fashion to close
out her 2013 campaign but went to the sidelines after finishing off the board
in her 2014 debut. She won’t get an easy lead in this spot and may need the
race to get back into tip top shape.
Doinghardtimeagain—When
she’s hot, she’s hot; when she’s not, she’s not. The two layoffs since August
are concerning, but she did come back to win a Grade 2 event at Laurel in July.
From that spot, she’ll be stretching out from a sprint to a middle distance
race, and I expect Hollendorfer will have her ready to run.
More Chocolate—Makes
her 2014 debut after a 9 month layoff. She hasn’t won a race since January 2013
but finished a solid 2nd in this very race last year. This seems like
a tall order for the mare after being sidelined for so long.
Parranda—Has
strictly been a turf runner for the her career and makes her first start over
synthetics here. Generally speaking, turf runners do well on synthetics, and
after the issues Del Mar has had with their new course this meet, sending
Parranda in a synthetics race rather than a turf one looks like a smart move on
Jerry Hollendorfer’s part. She’s looked really good so far this year, and if
the pace gets contentious up front, she’ll come running late.
Legacy—Takes a
huge step up in class off a listed stake win at Laurel. Her only prior start on
synthetics resulted in a 5th place finish. In all honesty, I think
this is too ambitious of a spot for her, but Sadler must have seen something in
this Sightseeing filly to place her in such tough company.
Broken Sword is going to want the early lead, but she likely
will not get away with an easy lead. Iotapa went to the lead last out, and with
the way speed has been holding up [five track records have been set so far
during this meet, including the record for 5 furlongs being broken then
re-broken in one day], the jockeys are going to want their mounts up close
early. Five fillies utilize on or near the pace styles, but More Chocolate and
Parranda will be content to press the pace from behind that front flight of
five.
Selections:
Iotapa, Fiftyshadesofhay and Parranda
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