Black-Eyed Susan Stakes - 9F Dirt FILLIES - COMPLETED!

Weather
Clear

Course: Dirt
Fast

Previous Record
1:46.7 (Songbird 2017)

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Post Positions (per Random.org)
1. Under The Mask
2. Duchess
3. Buchiko
4. Thistle
5. Girl Gone Wild
6. Dapper Doll
7. Groupie Doll
8. Gracie
9. Mary Lou
10. Coco

All fillies will carry 121 lbs

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Post Time Odds

1. Under The Mask: 5.5 - 1
2. Duchess: 11 - 1
3. Buchiko: 7 - 2
4. Thistle: 9 - 1
5. Girl Gone Wild: 5.5 - 1
6. Dapper Doll: 6 -1
7. Groupie Doll: 12 - 1
8. Gracie: 26.5 - 1
9. Mary Lou: 9.5 - 1
10. Coco: 5 - 2 (f)

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Call

Two weeks ago, Coco lived up to the pre-Oaks hype and soared to new heights, overcoming a bad break that saw her forfeit the lead to Buchiko - then sweep past that rival on the final turn to blaze her way to the wire. With the second jewel of the Triple Tiara on the line, Coco needs to prove she can string back to back wins under pressure against foes that have been since strengthened in the Olympic crucible.

Lavender Hill's Coco is once more the favorite, this time by a smart margin, and she's now doubly dangerous after showing she can come off the pace without a problem. Buchiko has been second best now four times in a row to our Oaks winner, and she's out for blood as she will try to rein in the unstoppable Oaks champion. Girl Gone Wild was a flying third last out and as the 2yo filly champ, she has a lot of talent and just needs to overcome her bad luck to put a stop to the Coco freight train. Under The Mask shares third choice with stablemate and after running third on turf in the 1000 Guineas, she's in a good setup to build on that placement. Flashy Dapper Doll is fourth choice after a series of good runs in graded stakes, while 1000 Guineas winner Thistle is a big jump in odds despite her gutsy battle against Goldikova across the pond. Both fillies possess grit in spades and if Coco somehow falters, they could be there to pick up the pieces with a late stretch run. Mary Lou isn't far behind after qualifying for two Olympic races with solid runs, while stablemate Duchess is double digits after a series of headscratching off-the-board finishes, an abberation from her usual form. Groupie Doll is second last in the betting despite running a good third in her most recent Olympic qualifier and Gracie is the longest shot of all, unable to find the form that saw her win several listed stakes as a juvenile.

Despite rain during the week, the weather is kind today, with sunlight in spades and a brisk wind blowing off the ocean to the east to send our fillies streaming onto the track in a glittering parade. History could be in the making as Coco looks to add the Black-Eyed Susan to her many accolades - but she has 10 other fillies to get through first before we can crown her a champion in the making.

The Run for the Black-Eyed Susans begins NOW on Seeing Stars!



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Results
1. (10) Coco - 1:49
2. (3) Buchiko (3 1/2 lengths)
3. (5) Girl Gone Wild (head)
4. (7) Groupie Doll (1 1/2 lengths)
5. (1) Under The Mask (1/2 length)
6. (6) Dapper Doll (length)
7. (4) Thistle (nose)
8. (9) Mary Lou (3/4 length)
9. (2) Duchess (neck)
10. (8) Gracie (length)

Places 1 - 5 take your points, while 6 - 10 will earn 1 pt for fiere and 1 pt for stamina.

CONGRATULATIONS TO COCO FOR WINNING THE BLACK-EYED SUSAN STAKES, THE SECOND JEWEL OF THE TRIPLE TIARA!

The Top 5 finishers are automatically qualified for the FINAL jewel of the Tiara, the Acorn Stakes in three weeks.

There was no stumbling this time for Coco, as she broke sharply on the far outside and motored right to the front to lead the field gate to wire by a widening margin. Poor Buchiko tried her best to close the gap, but she had to turn back a hard-charging Girl Gone Wild to repeat our Oaks trifecta with Coco/Buchiko/Girl Gone Wild once more filling out the top 3 spots on the board.

There seems to be no stopping this brindle filly as we make our way into the heart of summer, and to Belmont Park for the final jewel of the Triple Tiara - the Acorn Stakes. But at only a flat mile, there may be question marks surrounding Coco's ability to shorten up. She qualified for the Olympic Dirt Mile, but her record at 8 furlongs may put her in jeopardy to snag that final, coveted piece of the crown - and stamp her into the history books.

Acorn Stakes Qualifiers:
1. Coco
2. Buchiko
3. Girl Gone Wild
4. Groupie Doll
5. Under The Mask

Tagged Owners: valeera, Aragorn, Jewellz, Ryder ☆

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Time
Quarter Splits: 24.6 | 48.9 | 1:12.9 | 1:37.1 | 1:49
Final: 1:49

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