Stable Mail: Lady Banks to make second career start

Lady Banks, a two-year-old filly who ran an excellent second in her debut at Aqueduct on Novembr 23, is back in Friday in the 3rd race at Aqueduct.

She is listed as the 9-5 second choice on the morning line. While we won't bet getting 10-1 on her again (nor $10 to place), we also have more information now.

The debut play was based entirely on Lady Banks' emotional conformation report from when she sold as a yearling in 2011. At the sale she showed the ingredients of a high herd dynamic: a very strong presence and elite communication skills.

Lady Banks ran very good in the debut. She broke slowly from the rail, but quickly got into the race and handled a number of traffic scenarios like a pro.

Turning for home she was out wide in 5th place, stalking the eventual winner Live Lively, but Eddie Castro redirected Lady Banks inside. Momentarily blocked, Lady Banks split horses and was trying to rally inside the winner late.

If she moves forward from that experience, and I think that's quite likely, Lady Banks will be very tough to beat at the maiden level.

Lady Banks Debut Race (Rail)

Stable Mail Adds: I added four horses to my stable mail last weekend.

Flashback: 12-8-12 BHP R7 Maiden   Two-year-old Tapit colt was really impressive winning first out for Bob Baffert going seven furlongs on the cushion track. This full brother to Grade 1 winner Zazu has a big group dynamic and a nice, steady energy distribution that makes me think he can go at least 8.5f. As good as Tapit is, I can't recall ever liking any of his colts for the Derby distance, but this one looks interesting. DRF reports he got a 93 Beyer speed figure.

Flashback debut (#9, gray) 

Pure Fun: 12-8-12 BHP R9 Hollywood Starlet (G1)     Two-year-old Pure Prize filly lagged far back and then unleashed an explosive move on the turn. Her final 5/16 in :30-2 was excellent, and her final time was just 1 1/2 lengths slower than older fillies and mares ran in the Grade 2 Bayakoa Stakes earlier on the card. This was a super performance on the ship out West, and Pure Fun stamped herself as a major contender for the 2013 Kentucky Oaks.

Starlet (#1) 

Klisz: 12-8-12 BHP R8 Starter Allowance $40,000    Three-year-old Smarty Jones gelding made it 2-for-2 in his career with an eye-catching stretch move in a starter allowance race going 6f on turf. Klisz had to wait, split horses and exploded to win off by 4 lengths. With wins at maiden claiming $30,000 at Keeneland and now this $40,000 starter allowance, Klisz still could look a little cheap on paper, but there is solid talent here.

(No free replay available without a sign-in)

Mountain Eagle: 12-8-12 GP R2 Maiden    Two-year-old Birdstone gelding took a big step forward here going second time out and stretching out to a one-turn mile. His final time of 1:35.95 was two lengths faster than a NW1 later on the card, and this one is still learning. Should like two turns and more distance.

Mountain Eagle (#6)

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