Matriarch Stakes 2018 picks, best bets and analysis
Sunday's Matriarch Stakes is a wide open betting affair featuring a 14-horse field. Fahan Mura figures to ensure an honest pace, and morning line favorite Vasilika has won her last eight starts. Throw in a trio of Chad Brown runners and a few interesting three-year-old fillies, and this one has the makings of a mad scramble at the finish. Before choosing how to bet the seventh race at Del Mar, let's analyze the field:
The Favorite
#9 Vasilika (7-2) has been a win machine for Jerry Hollendorfer this year, and Flavien Prat sticks with the razor-sharp, versatile filly. She is 2-for-2 at Del Mar and has struck seven times at this distance.
Value Win Contenders
#12 Dona Bruja (8-1) just missed as my live longshot in the First Lady at Keeneland on Oct. 6. She does some of her best work at this distance, and jockey Declan Cannon knows how to get her to relax early for a strong finish.
#13 Uni (9-2) captured her last three flat mile turf stakes stakes in New York for Chad Brown. Joel Rosario sticks with the fresh, improving filly and she looks like a solid contender in this wide-open contest.
#14 Rymska (5-1) gives Brown another serious player. She almost always runs her race and exits a good looking tally in the Athenia at Belmont Oct. 21. Irad Ortiz Jr. rides her well and she must work out a trip from the outside post.
Live Longshots
#3 Fahan Mura (12-1) is almost always the front runner when she goes in turf routes. She has been outstanding in Southern California grass races and will take them as far as she can.
#8 Insta Erma (12-1) stumbled at the start and ended up sixth in the First Lady last time. Before that, she won the Ladies Turf at Kentucky Downs under Sunday's rider, Drayden Van Dyke. She was third in this event last year and is a contender at a price.
#10 Mission Impassible (5-1) was a clear second in her United States debut in the Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup at Keeneland. She looks like the most talented 3-year-old filly in the lineup and figures to come with a late run under Florent Geroux.
Remaining Entrants
#1 Excellent Sunset (30-1) crossed the line first but was placed second via disqualification in the restricted Kathryn Crosby at this course/distance Nov. 9. This is a much tougher spot, and she will have to run faster to compete here.
#2 Valadorna (15-1) just missed in the Ladies Turf at Kentucky Downs Sept. 8 and was last seen finishing an OK fifth in the First Lady at Keeneland. She is a cut below the best in here.
#4 Mopotism (20-1) exits an even fifth of 11 in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff. She finished last in her lone turf outing in the Gamely earlier this year.
#5 Quidura (8-1) owns early pressing versatility for Brown, and she stole the Ballston Spa at Saratoga Aug. 25. She exits a disappointing seventh as the chalk in the First Lady and will have to stalk and pounce Sunday with the speedy Fahan Mura signed on.
#6 Ms Bad Behavior (20-1) is a consistent sophomore filly taking on a solid older group. She likes to be forwardly placed and figures to stalk the pace under Tyler Baze.
#7 Daddy Is a Legend (20-1) shipped to Del Mar and won the Jimmy Durante at this distance last fall. The 3-year-old filly has had mixed results this year and probably would have won the Valley View if she did not go through the rail last time.
#11 Luminoso (30-1) fired trifecta shots in all eight turf starts and she will try to get involved late. Her numbers are light and this is a big class test.
Wagering Strategies
#12 to win
Exacta Box 12-13
Exacta 12-13/3-8-10
Trifecta 3-9-10-12-13-14/3-9-10-12-13-14/8