I’ll continue my series of horse-by-horse write-ups on Pegasus Day with a dive into the Grade 2 Inside Information, which goes as race 11.
#1 MIUCCIA got back to winning ways at allowance level last time in a confidence builder. The number she earned was still way behind her best, and her best is still behind the level normally expected to win a race like this.
#2 NIC’S STYLE is a really nice Florida bred trained by Bill Mott who has been imperious in victory in five or six races. The Beyer figure from the last race was her lowest, but it should quite possibly be higher as two have come back to run and improved their figures significantly. She has good early speed, and should to secure a nice position – it’s also a positive that she doesn’t necessarily need the front as she showed last time. She’s a peripheral contender.
#3 STERLING SILVER represents the New York breeding program. Her tries at graded level have been solid but not great. The last run against her own kind was particularly good as that was a track and a pace that should have favored frontrunners and she was running on well. Should they go too fast, she could certainly run on into at least a place, and she gives Bill Mott a potent one-two punch.
#4 HAULIN ICE is another, like Miuccia, who got back amongst the winners after a disappointing run, by annexing an allowance race. In terms of trips, she seems more likely to revert to midpack closing tactics today after being near the front end there. She has to improve to several of these and it’s not obvious where that improvement is coming from.
#5 DAZZLING MOVE’s best race was her well-beaten second to Nic’s Style at listed level. None of her other runs look fast enough to get her into the frame so I am taking a wait and see approach.
#6 JODY’S PRIDE was second in the ’23 Juvenile Fillies and later a well-bet 7-1 in the Grade 1 Ashland at Keeneland last year, where she suffered a wide journey. Based on her bloodlines (American Pharoah out of a Scat Daddy dam), you’d have thought she might improve for turf. She didn’t, checking in a non-threatening fourth at Grade 3 level. There’s been another layoff since, and she shows a short worktab for her return to the races. On one hand, she has a bit of a longshot look; on the other, my gut says she’ll likely need one before showing her best. Money for this one would be a positive given the known unknowns.
#7 MYSTIC LAKE is one of the obvious big two in here, a multiple graded stakes winner who comes here in form with a local prep where she earned a top figure. She has a great chance to be the best speed either taking the bull by the horns or stalking and pouncing (a choice that could be made easier thanks to a favorable outside draw).
#8 OLIVIA DARLING is a third runner in here whose form arrow is pointing back in the right direction thanks to an allowance win. She could make the frame on her best races but they were earned other much easier conditions than what she’ll face today (including in this race last year). I’m worried she’s lost a step and that this is a tough situation.
#9 EMERY is the other of the big two. She’s got the best form in the race, having faced a steady diet of graded stakes and acquitted herself amazingly well, with the lone “blemish” a strong second to Ways and Means in the G1 Test. She looks like a slightly better version of Mystic Lake with a better strategic draw.
VERDICT:
I like #9 EMERY best. She feels certain to get a great trip, most likely sitting in the garden spot despite the likes of Mystic Lake and perhaps Nic’s Style. As long as the track Is playing fair, she should be in a perfect position to stalk and then come calling on the turn for home.
Exotics wise:
A: 9-7
B: 2-3
