OBEAH STAKES FIELD AND COMMENTS

1. Shyza (20-1): Tough spot to make her seasonal debut after getting buried going six furlongs at LRL in the Willa On the Move… Figures to be a forward factor early breaking from the rail and gets reunited with pilot Sanchez, who’s had best success of any rider on her…
   1. Mike says: Good trainer and jock combo but has not run in six months when she got buried in a minor stake.
2. Crystal Ball (5-1): Expected to bypass this spot; major player if she posts off back-to-back wins; was near-miss runner-up in G1 Coaching Club American Oaks…
   1. Mike says: Ran in CCA Oaks and Alabama. Good current form and has room to improve.
3. Bajan Girl (3-1): Twice has placed in G3 company and last out was a good fourth in G1 La Troienne behind multiple G1 winner Shedaresthedevil and next out stakes winner Envoutante… Has the speed to contend for early advantage here but is tactical enough to stalk…
   1. Mike says: Has faced the best female horses in the country.
4. Promised Storm (20-1): Runner-up effort last out in state-bred stakes company flattered when winner Chub Wagon returned to win the open Skipat nicely on Preakness undercard; fourth-place finisher Trolley Ride also won a stake next out… May be a cut below the top contenders here…
   1. Mike says: Consistent horse who loves the distance. On paper appears much too slow for this group.
5. Jilted Bride (12-1): Never worse than third in nine tries on a fast main track… Winner of last returned to be second in Churchill stake, while show horse won a stake at Canterbury in her follow-up… Trainer Asmussen, a Hall of Famer, generally not messing around when he ships to DEL: he’s won seven of 23…
   1. Mike says: Has not competed in a stakes race, but it is Asmussen and hot local jock Rodriguez. Consistent horse that had been running at the tough Oaklawn meet.
6. Trolley Ride (20-1): Slop would probably aid the cause… Veteran has earned over $300k and will need a top effort here. Does enter off a win in a state-bred stake on the Penn Mile undercard…
   1. Mike says: Nice last race at Penn National but that was in the slop against a small field. Beyer numbers don’t match up against these.
7. Sweet Sami D (20-1): Expected to scratch after racing in Lady’s Secret Stakes at MTH on Sunday…
8. Miss Marissa (8-1): Held on for 10-1 upset in last fall’s G2 Black-Eyed Susan over Bonny South but makes first start since January here. Was runner-up last out in the Ladies, though that race isn’t looking too productive at the moment… Gets Lasix back on today, has the speed to work out a good trip, and looks to be in a spot she can make serious noise…
   1. Mike says: Five-month layoff but once she gets her prep, last year’s G2 Black-Eyed Susan winner will be tougher.
9. Queen Nekia (7-2): Expected to scratch after running fourth in G1 Ogden Phipps June 5.
10. Dream Marie (15-1): If the plan was to build her confidence by dropping her down into starter allowance company last time, that seems to have been a miss: she lost by 16 lengths in her second straight stinker. Multiple graded stakes-placed runner needs a bounceback effort to contend here and even then would have to overcome rivals that have beaten her before…
    1. Mike says: On 2020 form is a contender. Last two races raise many questions.
11. Market Rumor (20-1): Formful sort makes third start of the season after back-to-back runner-up finishes in allowance company… Two-back effort seriously flattered as winner Spice Is Nice came back to win G3 Allaire Du Pont… Regular pilot Landeros comes for just the one mount…
    1. Mike says: Good out-of-town connections and good current form. Morning line of 20-1 appears way too high.
12. Graceful Princess (9-2): Daughter of ’11 Obeah winner Havre de Grace, who went on to be Horse of the Year, this five-year-old finally showed a bit of Mom’s brilliance when a dead game third in the G3 Doubledogdare last time out at Keeneland, leading a long way and stubbornly staying on to be beaten just a neck. Winner Bonny South returned to be second in G1 Ogden Phipps this past weekend… Makes second start of ’21 and originally was slated to have now-injured Irad Ortiz in the irons…
    1. Mike says: Huge improvement in last. It is Pletcher, so not anticipating a bounce. Post #12 hinders.
13. Lucky Stride (15-1): Expected to scratch after racing in Lady’s Secret Stakes at MTH on Sunday…
14. Artful Splatter (15-1): Don’t be surprised if you see trainer Kieron Magee doing a rain dance: this mare loves the slop, on which she’s won six of eight, but she’s just 2-for-13 on a fast main track… Does best work when allowed to dictate tempo but seems unlikely to get that chance here. Does attract top local pilot Cedeno…
    1. Mike says: Loves the slop. On dry track appears outclassed.

THE PICKS

1. #5 Jilted Bride (12-1): High-end connections bring horse that might get right trip off speed
2. #12 Graceful Princess (9-2): Big effort in last suggests 5yo might finally be figuring it out
3. #3 Bajan Girl (12-1): Has kept right company
4. #11 Market Rumor (20-1): Last couple better than they look, brings own pilot
5. #5 Miss Marissa (8-1): Class makes her a major player but seems to take a start or two off the bench to get going