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Home / News / 2012 Breeders’ Cup Ladies’ Classic: An Early Look

2012 Breeders’ Cup Ladies’ Classic: An Early Look

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  • September 11, 2012 10:47 AM
Royal Delta wins 2011 Ladies' Classic.
This will be the first of a series of articles covering the 2012 Breeders’ Cup Ladies Classic. I’d like to get things off and rolling with an overview of the horses to beat at this point, t-minus 52 days and counting from race day. The ranking represents my opinion on who is most likely to win, while the odds illustrate how I think the race would be bet if it were to be held this weekend.

1. It’s Tricky (9-2)  The 2011 runner-up appears to be even better as a four-year-old. After winning her first three races of the year smartly, her performance in the Grade 1 Personal Ensign was visually stunning. A terrible stumble at the beginning of the race should have left her with zero chance, but a corking effort followed, and despite finishing third to a pair of others on this list, it has me believing in her chances come November 2.

2. Royal Delta (7-2)  I suppose last year’s defending champion is still the filly to beat in this year’s edition, but I just have the feeling at nine furlongs and on the speedy surface of Santa Anita, It’s Tricky may prove too tough to handle this time around. Bill Mott may yet choose to send her to the 1 ¼ mile Classic instead, but considering the hand he has primed for that one, my guess is she will get the chance to defend her title.

3. Include Me Out (8-1)  Ever since forsaking the sprint and concentrating on route races, this daughter of Include has been the filly to beat in all of the top older races for females this year in California. Two strong wins earlier this year at Santa Anita give her the home court advantage, and her stalking style should have her squarely in the hunt when the running really begins in this year’s Ladies’ Classic.

4. Awesome Feather (6-1)  For the second time in her career, an extended layoff has forced this champion to become the forgotten filly, but at 9 for 9 lifetime, it would seem silly to underestimate her chances. An explosive win in the Sunshine Millions Distaff had fans buzzing, but now almost eight months later, she has yet to race since. A lot should be learned from her second return to the races, which should be any day now.

5. Questing (6-1)  Is the 'now' three-year-old filly after impressively sweeping a pair of Grade 1 stakes races at the Spa. Can she carryover her new found love for dirt away from New York, and especially Saratoga? It is a big question for the European import in my mind, but if the answer is yes, the quality she demonstrated in the Alabama may suggest that she is becoming the best female in the nation, bar none. The Cotillion should provide a solid test.

6. Potesta (8-1)  Or maybe she is the 'now' sophomore female. The lightly raced daughter of Macho Uno has been nothing but impressive since finishing second in her career debut in March for trainer Mike Mitchell. She has improved with every start, and her latest score in the Torrey Pines was eye-catching to say the least. She still has some catching up to do with the rest, but should get a chance to gain experience and test herself against older in the Grade 1 Zenyatta at the end of the month.

7. My Miss Aurelia (8-1)  Has an awful lot in common with Awesome Feather. Like her older counterpart, she is a winner of the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies, an Eclipse Award winner, and has never come that close to going down in defeat. I worry that going from a 2012 debut in a sprint in August all the way to a Ladies’ Classic winner, just a few months later, may be asking a bit too much, but there is no denying her talent. She appears ready to get a big test in next week’s showdown with Questing in the Cotillion.

8. Amani (15-1)  This Chilean import turned many a head with a fast closing third to Include Me Out in her American debut. She followed that off with a non-threatening sixth place finish in the Pacific Classic. Back with the females, she will look for a solid pace to set up her late run, and should not be ignored coming from the Neil Drysdale barn.

9. Love and Pride (15-1)  Sure she beat the top two in the Personal Ensign, but how many of us truly believe that she was best that day? In her defense, she has a high turn of speed, and is currently better than ever, but I’ll take a stand and say that It’s Tricky and Royal Delta will not be fooled again.

10. Love Theway Youare (20-1)  Perhaps I could rate this one a bit higher considering she defeated Include Me Out the last time she raced against the distaff set. Keep in mind though, that was her first successful attempt in four tries against my number three, and may have been helped by not only a premature move by the favorite, but also the synthetic surface at Hollywood.
 
 
 

 

Royal Delta  |  Questing  |  Potesta  |  My Miss Aurelia  |  Love Theway Youare  |  Love and Pride  |  It's Tricky  |  Include Me Out  |  Awesome Feather  |  Amani  |  Breeders' Cup Ladies Classic  |  Breeders' Cup Ladies Classic (2012)

What the Nation is saying about 2012 Breeders’ Cup Ladies’ Classic: An Early Look...

What a shame.
Terrible News: Potesta broke down this morning, according to TVG. Her career is apparently over ... waiting to hear more about her condition.
I will take Questing as long as she is ok to run.
I can't look at that picture at the top of the screen and pick any other female than Royal Delta. Okay, second picture from the very top.
This is the beauty of the Breeders' Cup - you could make a legitimate argument for any of these fillies listed above to win the Ladies' Classic. If I had to choose right now, I'd probably wind up on Questing. I realize shipping across country is a challenge, but I've got to think nine furlongs on that drag strip at Santa Anita has to play to her benefit. Amani getting back to the dirt intrigues me also. The race may be a bit short for her liking, but the price should be right.
Why assume that Mott makes the decision on whether or not to send RD to the Classic or not. He didnt pay $8.5million for her. I believe if sge runs well next out she will be in the Classic. If BC were at CD there'd be no doubt. At her best she is better than most of the male handicappers
I've always been a huge fan of Awesome Feather but I really think it's still Royal Delta's race to lose.
This is the most wide open the Ladies' Classic has been in a long time. Still think that My Miss Aurelia has the most upside and is a relatively fresh horse. I love Questing's performances, but can she fire like that two more times this year?
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