Hollywood Starlet (Grade 1) Preview

Racing Dudes Picks

Win – #6 Executiveprivilege

Exacta – 6 over 1,3,4,5

Trifecta – 6 over 1,3,4,5 over 1,3,4,5

Horses to Use in Vertical Wagers – 6

Race Shape

Speed – Miss Empire, Blonde Fog, Rhodium

Stalkers – Pure Fun, Executiveprivilege, Renee’s Titan

Closers – Scarlet Strike, Midnight Ballet

Racing Dudes Projected Order of Finish

#6 Executiveprivilege (KY) – This is really a big race for Executiveprivilege.  She needs to rebound off her first ever defeat in the Breeders Cup Juvenile Fillies, and also with a win she can make a strong case for two year filly of the year.  Looking at the field, there is no doubt her best race should be able to handle these.  I think she’s a single in all your exotic bets, and if they’ve corrected her drifting problem she might put on a show for us on Saturday.

#4 Blonde Fog (KY) – Blonde Fog couldn’t have been more impressive in her debut, winning a maiden special weight by 12 1/2 lengths!  Now she’ll step up in class, but you have to like that her maiden win was around two turns which should have her prepared.  I think she’s a lock to finish second, and wouldn’t be surprised if she sprung a mild upset.

#1 Pure Fun (KY) – Once we get past the top two, I think the next six spots are pretty even.  I settled on Pure Fun for the third spot based mostly on her last race.  It was an impressive effort against Allowance company at Churchill Downs, where she was able to leave the rest behind winning by 9 1/2 lengths.  A repeat performance would set her up nicely here.

#5 Midnight Ballet (KY) – She won the local prep for this one, and the good news is three of the horses she beat are running back in this race.  The bad news is I don’t have any of those horses rated all that highly.  A third place effort is possible, but I can’t see her getting into one of the top two spots.

#3 Scarlet Strike (KY) – Has made five starts and has never finished outside the money, but she’s also never ran a “wow” type race.  Her maiden win was solid, but in her two stakes tries she was well beaten.  The level of competition is nothing new for her, but I don’t think she’s a top class filly at this time.

#2 Miss Empire (KY) – Hasn’t been the greatest against graded stakes competition, but has won two non-graded stakes.  Her last race was a total clunker, but if she can return to her earlier form she can compete for third.

#7 Renee’s Titan (KY) – Her only victory came against maiden claimers so you have to think she may not be up to winning a Grade 1 race.  I do like that she’s placed in two non-graded events, and it’s probably worth a shot to throw her in here and see what happens.

#8 Rhodium (KY) –  Clearly the last place horse in this race on paper, but she’s not all that far speed figure wise behind the others.  With just a little improvement she could make an impact, but I’ll have to see it first before I back her.