Introduction
Following the first of two co-highlights from the Belmont, Fall meet at Aqueduct comes the Breeders Cup Miss Grillo Stakes on the Turf for Fillies Two-Year-Old. Unfortunately, now looking at the weather forecast for the New York Area, we may see a postponement of this race as the weather seems to be wet, which could cause the cancellation of Turf Racing. However, if the weather is to hold out or Turf Racing doesn't get canceled, here is your Stakes preview for the 2022 Breeders Cup Qualifying Miss Grillo Stakes presented by Emmitt Davis.
Gorgees Spirit
The first of six entries in this year's Breeders Cup Miss Grillo Stakes is the Kentucky-bred Fillie Georgees Spirit. The two-year-old just started her rookie season this past summer in Saratoga, racing in two races there, winning one, a Maiden Special Weight, and placing sixth in her debut, a Maiden Special Weight as well. The Jorge R Abreu trainee hasn't done much this season due to her just starting off, making the Breeders Cup Miss Grillo Stakes an exciting start for her as she hasn't proved that she is at the top of her class just yet. But, Id look at her speed figures in her two starts with her most recent Byer speed figure at 86. Furthermore, she has improved since her previous workout going four furlongs in 48.46 compared to her four furlongs in 53 secs before that run. I wouldn't take Georgees Spirit winning, but the Breeders Cup Miss Grillo Stakes could be a good proving race for her.
Free Look
Chad Brown's Free Look hopes to get her second win of the season and a shot at racing in the Juvenile Fillies Turf. Free Look has raced in two races starting her season off in Saratoga, like most of the field, this summer, winning one, a Maiden Special Weight, this September, and then a third-place finish in her debut race, a Maiden Special Weight as well. Unfortunately, the Kentucky Bred Fillie has been training on dirt which doesn't sit right with me as she's attempting to run in a turf race, and I'm confident that they won't change this race to an MTO (Main Track Only) if Turf Racing was to be canceled. But, she put up a 93 Byer speed figure in her Maiden Special Weight win, which could give her just what she needs to win the Breeders Cup, Miss Grillo Stakes.
Pleasant Passage
Irad Ortiz JR hops on the back of Pleasant Passage, eager to win her second race this season. The Claude R. McGaughey III trainee made her debut this past summer at Saratoga winning her debut race, a Maiden Special Weight, her only current race she ran in. But, despite only making her second start in the Miss Grillo Stakes, she has had some good recent workout times running three furlongs in 35.75 and then running four furlongs in her second workout, going four furlongs in 50.52. So now I wouldn't rule out Pleasant Passage winning the Breeders Cup Miss Grillo Stakes, as she could be a possible contender for the Miss Grillo Stakes.
Alluring Age
Great Britain-bred Alluring Angle looks to win her second race this season. The second Jorge R Abreu trainee in the field most recently took on the Ainsworth Untapable Stakes, an ungraded stakes race, where she finished second behind Danse Macabre, putting up a Byer speed figure of 90. Now the two-year-old filly has taken a win this season, finishing first in a Maiden Special Weight, where she won with a Byer speed figure of 81. Alluring Angle has put up a solid workout this past week, going four furlongs in 50.55 seconds, a 1-second improvement from her start. I don't see her being a bad option, but I think there are better fillies in the field now.
Im Just Kidding
John Kimmel's I'm Just Kidding looks to make her first stakes debut following her most recently first-place finish and first win of the season, a Maiden Special Weight, this past August at the "Spa." Now the two-year-old has put up some lower speed figures this year out of her two starts compared to the rest of the field, with a byer speed figure of 77 in her win and then a speed figure of 71 in her debut start. However, I'm Just Kidding has been doing a great job in her workouts, going four furlongs in 49.95, placing second out of the 15 runners that day. Therefore, I'd say she is a solid bet for the field depending on the price though Id ether considers her more as a place and show rather than a win.
Be Your Best
Michale Ryan's Be Your Best will open as the favorite in the Breeders Cup Qualifying Miss Grillo Stakes as she has won both of her two starts heading into the Miss Grillo. The two-year-old most recently ran in an ungraded P. G. Johnson Stakes, finishing first with a Byer Speed Figure of 86 increasing five as her debut win was a Byer speed figure of 79. However, the Ireland-bred filly has improved in her latest workouts, running 48.75. Truly with the price in the program, Id takes her winning the Miss Grillo Stakes this year with ease. Now, If Be Your Best is to win the Miss Grillo Stakes, she will be one of the undefeated fillies in the field.
Final Thoughts
So, there's the field for the Breeders Cup Miss Grillo Stakes. It should be a great race run on the wet track. If not, it was worth knowing about. My final bets for this race are pretty reasonable; no upset as the field looks to be able to stop one from happening, but anything is possible. So, here are my final bets.
WPS- Be Your Best
PS- Alluring Angel
S- Free Look
Exacta- 6 2
Trifecta- 6 4 2
Superfecta- 6 4 2 5
Best of luck to all. Be on the lookout for some of our more upcoming stakes previews during the Breeders Cup Qualifying Rounds.