With limited early speed expected, tactical positioning could play a significant role in determining the outcome.
Sands Point Stakes Field Analysis
1. Miss Fulton Gal (20-1)
Miss Fulton Gal finished third in the Cathryn Sophia Stakes at Parx on August 18. She earned a 140 final-time rating for that performance, but the effort came on dirt, and she has yet to race on turf.
Trainer Michael Gorham has been in good form, winning six of his last 15 starts. However, his record in turf routes is less encouraging, with just three wins from 31 attempts.
Miss Fulton Gal has to prove she can transfer her dirt form to turf, and that uncertainty makes her difficult to endorse in this competitive spot.
2. Bless Her (7-2)
Bless Her brings tactical speed and a favorable inside post for trainer Graham Motion, with Manny Franco taking the mount. Her career record stands at two wins, two seconds, and one third from eight starts.
She finished second in the Dueling Grounds Oaks last time, tracking the pace from the inside before being left well behind the winner, Kentucky Belle, who prevailed by more than six lengths.
Bless Her’s positional speed is appealing in a race without much projected early pace. She should have an opportunity to work out another favorable trip, but there is one major concern: Lasix.
Both of her victories and a narrow defeat came with Lasix. Without it, her results have been less consistent, although she did finish second in the Dueling Grounds Oaks. Her best efforts suggest she will need to improve to win this race.
Motion has been in good form, winning five of his last 15 starts, and Franco is a quality turf rider. The connections, running style, and post position make Bless Her a logical contender.
3. Americathegreat (10-1)
Americathegreat has eight career starts, with two wins and four runner-up finishes. She appears to be moving in the right direction after adding Lasix, switching to turf, and wearing blinkers in her recent races.
She finished second in her first recent turf attempt with blinkers before winning over a mile on turf last time. Her final-time ratings have shown improvement, including a 137 in that latest victory.
Her pedigree suggests she should handle the added distance. With Curlin as her sire and A.P. Indy as her damsire, stamina should not be a major concern.
The question is whether her improving form is good enough to compete against this level of stakes company. She is progressing, but this is a class test. Javier Castellano takes the mount for trainer Mark Casse.
4. Queen of Hawaii (9-2)
Queen of Hawaii has three wins from seven starts, with no seconds or thirds. She is something of an all-or-nothing runner, capable of producing a strong effort but also vulnerable to finishing off the board.
She finished fifth in the Grade 3 Winter Memories Stakes last time after previously running fifth in the Grade 2 Lake Placid Stakes.
There are reasons to believe she can rebound. In the Lake Placid, the pace was relatively slow, with fractions of 25 seconds, 49 2/5 seconds, and 1:13. That setup did not favor her closing style, yet she was beaten only 1 3/4 lengths.
In the Winter Memories, she was bumped at the start from post 10 and never established a comfortable position. She finished less than three lengths behind the winner.
Her final-time ratings in this country have been 120, 132, 129, and 134. Those figures put her within striking distance of the leading contenders, and the mile-and-an-eighth distance appears manageable.
Queen of Hawaii could deliver a strong effort if the race unfolds more favorably.
Read more at Today's Racing Digest
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