With the MATCH Series being hosted by Colonial Downs in Virginia on Tuesday, it’s the evergreen Kaylasaurus who’s looking to the Seeking The Pearl to be 2022 MATCH Champion.
In already heading the MATCH Series and leading the Filly & Mare 3YO+ Sprint-Dirt divisional on 22 points, victory In the Seeking The Pearl of 7f will make her ‘difficult to beat’ on 37 points.
In also earing 5 points and a money bonus with the Seeking The Pearl to be her third start in the Series, she was previously second in the Alma North Stakes having also won the Primonetta Stakes.
Again to be ridden by Horacio Karamanos, and from Gate 7 for trainer Tim Kreiser, the 6yo mare races for Bush Racing Stables, Liberty House Racing, Black Ridge Stables and George Saufley.
In fact, the Seeking The Pearl Stakes will be Kaylasurus’s ninth victory in 26 Starts with 9 placings, and in being a race winner in four of her five seasons has a 6:1-3-1 record for this season.
Bred by Arrowwood Stud at York Springs in Pennsylvania, she by Ashford Stud’s top-liner Munnings, from the stakes winning Flatter mare Five Diamonds, the family of multiple stakes winner Tap.
With Kaylasaurus being the 9/2 co-favourite in a field of 9 runners, it’s the unbeaten Dogwood Stakes winner Carribean Caper who’s also 9/2 for jockey Colby Hernandez and trainer Albert Stall Jr.
At 8/1 is the 12 point co-second placed F&M Dirt Sprint leader Fille d’Esprit who will have the rail from Gate 1 for Xavier Perez, and had won the Susquehanna Valley Stakes at Penn National.
The St Omer Farm and Christopher Feifarek owned 4yo colt Beren has drawn Barrier 10 in the Chesapeake Stakes of 6f for Frankie Pennington and Penn National trainer ‘Butch’ Reid.
In leading the 3YO+ Sprint-Dirt on 17 points, he’s previously won the Frank J de Francis Memorial Dash at Laurel Park and was second to Ny Traffic in the Chocalatetown Stakes at Penn National.
Now the winner of 8 of his 18 starts, including 5 second placings, Beren put it together as a 3yo last season in winning 7 races, and was bred by part owner Christopher Feifarek and Susan Quick.
In being by the Kenny J Noel Handicap winner Weigelia, from the dual Gr3 winning Diamond mare Silmaril, he’s also entered for the Pennsylvania-bred Pennsylvania’s Day at Parx on 22 August.
However it’s the dual Mighty Beau Overnight winner Just Might who’ the 4/1 race favourite, and just shading last start Jeff Hall Memorial winner Neckler Island at 9/2, with Beren being 10/1.
Last year’s Buckland Stakes winner Eons heads this 3YO+ Long-Turf division on 20 points with victories in the Bensalem Stakes and the Prince George’s Country Stakes on a winner disqualification.
In drawing Gate 9, and sporting the light blue 9 saddlecloth, he’ll again appreciate the Secretariat Turf Course of 1 1/16m, with Trevor McCarthy riding for Arnaud Delacour and owner Mark Grier.
In winning the Kent Stakes at two, and now with 7 career victories, this 6yo son of the ever successful Giant’s Causeway was a $300,000 graduate of the 2017 Keeneland September Yearling Sale.
A full-brother to the Grade winners Tableaux and Giant Ginzo, from the stakes winning Golden Antigua, by Hansel, he’s the family of Mi Selecto, Bar Dexter and was bred by Camas Park Stud.
With Beren being the 4/1 race favourite, it’s the 8 point Division third placed Beacon Hill who at 9/2 in being a nose second to Eons in the Bensalem and sixth in the Prince George’s Country.
Also on 20 points in the overall MATCH Series, and the Filly & Mare 3YO+ Long-Turf leader Deciding Vote who’s a surprising 10/1 for the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Old Nelson of 1 1/8m.
Having won the Dahlia Stakes and a last start second in the Big Dreyfus Stakes, the 5yo mare is the family of Australian Champion 2YO Assertive Lad, and by Belmont Derby winner Mr Speaker.
To be ridden by Mychel Sanchez from 9 for trainer Edward Graham and owner-breeder William Pape, she’ll be met by Cheermeister, Trevor McCarthy, at 7/2, with 9/2 for Argentinian bred Didia.
