And might be getting hotter by the moment…
As of last weekend, there were eight solid probable starters, headlined by Spiced Perfection and Saguaro Road as of Monday. But we wonder what the field would look like if Jerry Robb enters Anna’s Bandit on Wednesday morning.
Spiced Perfection needs no introduction, of course. Last year she won three of six starts, all graded, including Keeneland’s G1 Madison at Saturday’s 7-furlong trip. Classy with a capital C.
But why should Anna’s Bandit play second fiddle to her? It’s hard to knock a filly that went 9-for-11 last year and ran herself into the entry box with a strong 5-furlong move over the strip Sunday. Want more? Check out her career slate at the distance, (11) 8-0-3, and she’s won 10 stakes.
“I’m going to enter and if it looks like she has a shot to win it I’m going to run her,” said Robb after her 5 furlongs in 1:01 4/5. She’s a tactical filly who can kick from anywhere. The filly calls Laurel home, where she’s won 10 starts.
She and Spiced Perfection are likely to attract the most play which could provide value on Saguaro Row. Her credentials may not be as flashy as the two fillies above, but she’s won at Laurel, at the trip, and handles any type of footing.
It’s her last race, winning Aqueduct’s Interborough, that caught our eye. Check out the Laurel Park Live Video on the homepage and see what you think.
Saguaro Row had a perfect trip in the “good” going, but she won RACE 8 on JAN 20 with something in reserve. Jose Lezcano rode her with disdain for the competition, letting her roll up outside at mid-turn, ground loss be damned.
The fact that Michael Stidham, who’s winning races everywhere these days, is entering back on relatively short rest speaks to her condition. We have no idea at this point who or how many fillies will enter. Track conditions, race dynamics, post draw etc., are also unknown.
But we’ll know more after doing the work, of course, and our guess is that her off odds will be high enough to make her an attractive wager, certainly an exotics threat. Alas, we shall see who proves best in the 68th Fritchie.
