Los Alamitos Highlights Grade 2 Great Lady M Stakes
Los Alamitos is set to showcase one of its main attractions, the Grade 2 Great Lady M Stakes, during its two-week Los Angeles County Fair Thoroughbred meet. This exciting event, taking place on the Fourth of July, puts the spotlight on a thrilling 6 ½-furlong sprint for fillies and mares aged three and older. With a captivating seven-horse field, the Great Lady M promises to deliver an exhilarating race.
Becca Taylor: A Formidable Contender
Becca Taylor, a 4-year-old daughter of Old Topper, is a force to be reckoned with in this race. With an impressive track record of 8 wins out of 9 races, Becca Taylor’s only loss was by a mere nose to Eddie’s New Dream in the Irish O’Brien Stakes at Santa Anita Park. This defeat, however, was accompanied by one of her three triple-digit Equibase Speed Figures, an outstanding 101.
Following her maiden victory at Los Alamitos in December 2020 as a 17/1 longshot, Becca Taylor has dominated allowance and Black-Type stakes fields at Santa Anita. With each subsequent race, her Equibase rating has soared, resulting in five consecutive victories as her odds decreased significantly.
A Triumph in the Desert Stormer Stakes
In her most recent outing, Becca Taylor achieved a significant milestone by winning the Grade 3 Desert Stormer Stakes at Santa Anita. As the 3/5 favorite, she crossed the finish line 2 ½ lengths ahead of the competition, securing her first graded stakes victory. This impressive performance was accompanied by a career-best Equibase rating of 107, setting her up as a serious contender in the Great Lady M.
Owner-breeder Nick Alexander expressed his satisfaction with Becca Taylor’s progress, acknowledging the tough competition and the remarkable partnership with jockey Juan Hernandez. Despite her consistent victories, Alexander admits feeling nervous before each race due to Becca Taylor’s tendency to win by narrow margins.
Becca Taylor’s Style of Racing
Becca Taylor’s success lies not in overwhelming her opponents, but in her ability to time her moves and win by small differentials. Her largest margin of victory was a four-length lead in her first race of 2022, a 5 ½-furlong sprint on Golden Gate Fields’ synthetic track. After a nearly 10-month break, Becca Taylor’s Equibase rating jumped from 84 to 98, a testament to her readiness to return to the track.
What sets Becca Taylor apart is her adaptability. She has conquered racetracks of varied surfaces, including dirt, turf, and synthetic, at Los Alamitos, Santa Anita, and Golden Gate Fields. Additionally, she has been guided to victory by five different jockeys, showcasing her versatility and ability to perform under various riding styles.
A Competitive Field
Becca Taylor will face stiff competition in the Great Lady M from two talented fillies trained by Phil D’Amato: Elm Drive and Ain’t Easy.
Elm Drive, a 3-year-old daughter of Mohaymen, boasts a Grade 2 victory in the Sorrento at Del Mar last August. Like Becca Taylor, she broke her maiden at Los Alamitos, winning by an impressive eight lengths in June. Elm Drive arrives at the Great Lady M after a 2 ¼-length triumph in the Listed Angels Flight at Santa Anita on May 8.
Ain’t Easy, sired by Into Mischief, made a strong start to her career with victories in her first two races, including the Grade 2 Chandelier at Santa Anita. Although she has experienced two third-place finishes since then, she enters the Great Lady M following a disappointing ninth-place finish in the Grade 2 Eight Belles on the Kentucky Oaks undercard.
Conclusion
The Grade 2 Great Lady M Stakes at Los Alamitos promises to be a thrilling race featuring top fillies and mares. Becca Taylor, with her exceptional record and impressive performances, stands out as a formidable contender. Her ability to win by narrow margins adds an element of excitement, while her versatility and adaptability across different tracks and surfaces further solidify her position as a leading contender in this race.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How many races has Becca Taylor won?
Becca Taylor has won an impressive 8 out of 9 races in her career, establishing herself as a dominant force in her field.
2. What is Becca Taylor’s largest margin of victory?
Becca Taylor’s largest margin of victory was four lengths, achieved in her first race of 2022 at Golden Gate Fields’ synthetic track.
3. Which jockeys have ridden Becca Taylor to victory?
Becca Taylor has been piloted to victory by five different jockeys: Armando Ayoso, Santos Rivera, Jessica Pyfer, Flavien Prat, and Juan Hernandez.
4. Who are Becca Taylor’s main competitors in the Great Lady M Stakes?
Becca Taylor will face tough competition from Elm Drive and Ain’t Easy, two talented fillies trained by Phil D’Amato.
5. What sets Becca Taylor apart from other contenders?
Becca Taylor’s adaptability across different tracks and surfaces, combined with her ability to win by small margins, sets her apart from other contenders. Her versatility and consistent performance make her a formidable presence in the Great Lady M Stakes.
