As any racing fan is well aware, trips matter. Such is the case when assessing the fastest mares in today’s featured eighth race in Hallandale.
When last the two “fastest’ horses met, Pacific Princess (7-2) was taking the measure Dignified (9-2) but trips are in the eye of the beholder.
While Pacific Princess was roughed up at the start and rallied wide to get up n a hard-fought score, it was Dignified that did the dirty work at today’s same 7-furlong trip, stalking the pace the whole way and tired late, understandably.
While the kneejerk reaction would be to favor the speedster over the rallier, the presence of speedy dropdown Olga (5-2) and last-out claim Divine Connection (4-1)–Saffie 25% off the claim and fast blowout–doesn’t figure to make her job easier to reverse the recent result.
Pacific Princess gets the lean given the race shape, outside draw, and recently live connections even if she is returning in two weeks off an enervating win,
Taking Princess Princess to win at 3-1 or greater and key-boxing trifectas first and second with her three rivals above.
