Diversy Harbor, above winning the China Doll Stakes in March, is one of the top contenders for the Robert J. Frankel Stakes on Saturday at Santa Anita Park. (BENOIT photo)

By Ellis Starr – National Racing Analyst for Equibase

The 47th running of the Grade 3, $100,000 Robert J. Frankel Stakes brings together a full field of 12 fillies and mares, many with excellent recent efforts in similar situations. Four of those — Three Hearts, Lady of Gold, Lady Pimpernel (GB) and Scooter Bird — finished first through fourth, respectively, separated by less than a length, in the Grade 3 Red Carpet Handicap run last month. Diversy Harbor enters the race off a runner-up finish in the Grade 3 Autumn Miss Stakes in October on the Santa Anita turf course, while Rusty Slipper is another leading contender as she most recently faced some of the best females in the country on turf in the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf and won the Grade 3 Violet Stakes in August.

Lady Pimpernel was making her U.S. debut and first start following more than three months off in the Red Carpet Handicap last month, yet she ran exceptionally well. Eighth in the early stages, Lady Pimpernel was forced to steady (lost momentum) when in tight quarters with about three-eighths of a mile to go and then again with one-quarter mile to go, yet she rallied relentlessly to be beaten a neck for second and just three-quarters of a length for the win. Getting a much better post position than she got in the Red Carpet, Lady Pimpernel should run even better in her second local start and second off the layoff. Improving off her last race 99 Equibase Speed Figure, Lady Pimpernel could post the mild upset in this year’s Robert J. Frankel Stakes.

Diversy Harbor has proved she belongs in stakes competition on the grass since her second career start in March when winning the China Doll Stakes on the turf at Santa Anita. Since then, she has finished second or third in four of six races, all stakes. Although she hasn’t won since March, Diversy Harbor has run well enough to win, particularly in her most recent effort on Oct. 25 when second in the Autumn Miss Stakes with a career-best, and field-high, 104 speed figure. As such, repeating that last effort could earn Diversy Harbor her second stakes victory of the year.

RUSTY SLIPPER

Photo by Bill Denver/EQUI-PHOTO

Rusty Slipper returns from a short rest, last seen facing some of the best turf females in North America in the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf. Prior to that, Rusty Slipper also faced Grade 1 competition, finishing third in the Rodeo Drive Stakes at Santa Anita Park. Her last win came off a layoff similar to the one she’s coming back from today, in the Violet Stakes in August, which also was her last try in a Grade 3 stakes like this one. Rusty Slipper earned a 102 Equibase Speed Figure in the Violet, and with so many similarities to that effort she must be respected as a strong contender in this field.

The rest of the field (with best representative Equibase Speed Figures): Aguafria (97), Bee Brave (GB) (99), Blingismything (99) and Floral Romance (98), Kathleen Rose (104), Lady of Gold (103), Scooter Bird (99), Three Hearts (99) and Winning Rhythm (97). 

My Selections:

Lady Pimpernel

Diversy Harbor

Rusty Slipper