Dreaming of Julia Returns

                The Mother Goose Stakes (Gr.1) features the return of Dreaming of Julia this Saturday at Belmont Park after her disappointing 4^th place finish in Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks. The daughter of A. P. Indy ran the fastest sophomore Beyer speed figure of the year when garnering a flashy 116 Beyer as a result of her 21 ¾ lengths romp in the Gulfstream Park Oaks (Gr.2). She never had a chance to show her true talent in the Kentucky Oaks this year, but still impressed with her rally to finish 4^th after a very troubled start and traffic issues on the backside. Dreaming of Julia has only raced three times this year, with the Gulfstream Oaks being her sole victory, but she still maintains faith in her supporters that she will lead her division based on her fantastic record from last year and the promise of exceptional things to come this year. I fully expect this filly to be back in the winner’s circle this weekend and better than ever.

                Close Hatches won three straight races in 2013 to begin her career, including a 3 ¼ length romp in the Gazelle Stakes (Gr.2) over future Kentucky oaks winner Princess of Sylmar. She finished a distant 7^th in the Kentucky Oaks (Gr.1) without showing much of a closing punch in the 1 1/8 mile race, but she looked much stronger when finishing 2^nd to Midnight Lucky in the Grade 1 Acorn Stakes on May 27^th. Her workouts have always been very slow but she seems to maintain good form despite slow times and she looks like a solid choice to finish second behind Dreaming of Julia.

               

               Marathon Lady is just a maiden winner, but don’t let that fool you. She is much better than just a maiden winner. After finishing second by a nose in the Grade 3 Bourbonette Oaks she came back and ran 3^rd in the Fantasy Stakes (Gr.3). Just one month later Marathon Lady ran a strong second in the Black Eyed Susan Stakes (Gr.2) at Pimlico, missing by a neck to Fiftyshadesofhay. Expect her to be running well late and pick up a piece of the prize, but probably not the top spot. 

                Taosting finished 3^rd in the Black Eyed Susan Stakes (Gr.2) and has only won a maiden and an allowance race. She seems to be a capable filly who runs well against good competition, but I think she’s just outclassed by the top three in this one. 

Sister State has raced just four times and won just once, her maiden. She most recently finished 8^th in an allowance optional claiming race at Belmont Park, she seems to be a good choice to take up the rear of the field.