Expect some ‘Action’ in Hotline Stakes

KINGSTON, Jamaica - The “Road to the Triple Crown” for native-bred three-year-olds starts tomorrow at Caymanas Park with the 27th running of the Hotline Stakes. The Hotline is a Restricted Allowance V, non-winners of two for fillies only at 6 furlongs for a total purse of $1.3 million.

Below is an analysis of the runners.

1. MAGENTA: (3 ch f by Here Comes Ben – Winning Spirit) – Made a winning start to her career on December 26, 2020 when beating Bern Notice and Regal and Royal by ¾ length, going six furlongs (1,200m). Although returning 77 days later to make her seasonal bow, Magenta’s 1:13.1 winning time over this distance on debut suggests that she is more than capable of handling these. Has been prepared for this race and has every chance of taking home the trophy. Note: Tongue-tie on/first-time Lasix.

2. SILVER HAWK: (3 rn f by Midnight Hawk – Miss Emily) – Released the maiden tag after three starts down the five-straight course on February 17. It was an encouraging win by Silver Hawk in a time of 1:00.4 and with her trainer Gary Subratie in the pink of form and given basic improvement, Silver Hawk should be watched closely.

3. KATALINA: (3 ch f by Ride On Curlin – Alienate) – Came good on February 13 over 7 ½ furlongs when beating Hilly’s Vision and Seven Stars by a length in a time of 1:35.3. Meets Magical Mood here on the same terms, after losing by half a length Katalina should be comfortable here is set for a capital effort.

4. CHANDRA’S LAW: (3 ch f by Sensational Slam – She’s So Spectacular) – Finished down the track on February 17 behind Lure of Lucy over 6 ½ furlongs. Something is amiss with Chandra’s Law and she should be given time. May not be a factor in the Hotline, but Chandra’s Law cannot be ruled out in future three-year-old races especially among the fillies.

5. MAGICAL MOOD: (3 ch f by Fearless Vision – The Lady Scored) – Was a fighting winner on February 7 beating Katalina by half-length over tomorrow’s distance in a time of 1:15.3. Prior to that, Magical Mood finished fourth behind Magenta on debut in December of last year, also over tomorrow’s trip. Magical Mood has been working well coming into this race and based on her last effort is starting to show true signs of ability, but is worse off in the handicaps when compared with Magenta, but jockey Dane Nelson can easily make up for that situation and then again handicaps among three-year-olds is not always a defining factor.

6. SURE CURLIN: (3 b f by Perfect Curlin – Sure To Cure) – Has moved from the stables of trainer Gary Subratie to that of Patrick Lynch and although a winner on January 1, Sure Curlin may need time to get accustomed to her new surroundings.

7. ACTION ANN: (3 gr f by Sensational Slam – Lady Like) – A winner by 13 lengths on December 23 after gaining needed experience from her three previous outings, travelling seven furlongs. Action Ann’s winning time, then, of 1:25.1 is nothing to scoff at among three-year-olds. Trainer Chris Pearson is aiming for the Classics and this may be the first winning stop along that path.

8. SECRET IDENTITY: (3 b f by Bern Identity – Pomeroy’s Secret) – An impressive winner on debut over 5 ½ furlongs on February 28. Secret Identity came from off the pace to beat rivals by 5 lengths going away in a time of 1:08.4. Secret Identity should improve on that effort and now going further, which is going to suit her better, can make it two wins in a row.

9. THREE TIMES LUCKY: (3 ch f by Northern Giant – Granville Greeta) – Based on her eighth-place finish behind stablemate Lure of Lucy over 6 ½ furlongs, Three Times Lucky, although expected to run a better race, cannot get a winning vote.