The Grade II Fasig-Tipton Rachel Alexandra Stakes at Fair Grounds Race Course is set to take place on February 16, 2025. This race offers a purse of $300,000 and covers a distance of one and one-sixteenth miles on turf for three-year-old fillies. Here’s a detailed strategic preview of the race:
Race Details:
- Purse: $300,000
- Distance: One and One-Sixteenth Miles (Turf)
- Eligibility: Three-year-old fillies
- Weight: 122 lbs
- Entry Fees: $1250 to enter; $1250 additional to start. Supplemental nominations of $5,000 will be accepted at the time of entry.
Top Contenders:
- Good Cheer (KY)
- Jockey: Luis Saez
- Trainer: Brad Cox
- Morning Line Odds: 6/5
- Pedigree: Medaglia d’Oro – Wedding Toast (by Street Sense)
- Recent Form: Good Cheer is unbeaten in four starts, including victories in the Golden Rod (G2) and Rags to Riches (G2). She’s a strong favorite with a perfect record and a solid pedigree.
- Anonima (KY)
- Jockey: Jose L. Ortiz
- Trainer: Kenneth G. McPeek
- Morning Line Odds: 6/1
- Pedigree: Sharp Azteca – Royal Starlight (by Point Given)
- Recent Form: Anonima has shown consistent form and has been competitive in graded stakes races. She’s a capable contender with a strong pedigree.
- Ballerina d’Oro (KY)
- Jockey: Flavien Prat
- Trainer: Chad C. Brown
- Morning Line Odds: 7/2
- Pedigree: Medaglia d’Oro – In the Moonlight (by Tapit)
- Recent Form: Ballerina d’Oro has shown potential and has been consistent in her performances. She’s a horse to watch with a strong pedigree.
- Simply Joking (PA)
- Jockey: Jaime Torres
- Trainer: David Beckman
- Morning Line Odds: 4/1
- Pedigree: Practical Joke – Imply (by E Dubai)
- Recent Form: Simply Joking has shown promise and could be a contender with the right strategy.
- Bless the Broken (KY)
- Jockey: Axel Concepcion
- Trainer: William Walden
- Morning Line Odds: 12/1
- Pedigree: Laoban – The Nightingale (by Tapit)
- Recent Form: Bless the Broken has shown potential and could perform well with a good trip.
Race Strategy:
- Early Pace: With Good Cheer likely to set the early pace, jockeys will need to position their mounts well to avoid getting caught in traffic.
- Mid-Race Moves: Anonima and Ballerina d’Oro may make their moves around the far turn, looking to capitalize on the pace set by the leaders.
- Late Surge: Simply Joking and Bless the Broken could be the ones to watch for a late surge, potentially making a strong finish if they can navigate through the field effectively.
