Kentucky Derby 2023 Betting: Improving Mage is ready for the big time
Read this articleGrade III Gardenia Once Again Highlights Ellis Meet
As the signature race of the Ellis Park meet in Henderson, KY, the Grade III $100,000 Gardenia Handicap on August 9 once again draws a quality field including graded stakes winner Molly Morgan.
Molly Morgan, trained by Dale Romans, is the 3/1 morning line favorite and the undeniable class of the race. Despite a fifth-place effort in her most recent start in the Grade I Delaware Handicap, Molly Morgan has shown superior form this year in Kentucky winning the Grade II Fleur de Lis in June and running second in Grade I La Troienne in May – both at Churchill Downs. Molly Morgan ran fourth in the Gardenia last year in a race that featured the upset of two-time Eclipse award winner Groupie Doll.
Quiet Success shows solid form for Amoss
Second choice Quiet Success (4/1 ML), enters the Gardenia in good form for trainer Tom Amoss. Despite coming off a two month layoff in her last start, Quiet Success ran a good second in the Iowa Distaff Stakes at Prairie Meadows and has finished in-the-money in each of her last six starts. Frivolous (5/1 ML) will try graded company again after an eleventh and fourth place finishes respectively in the Grade III Modesty and Grade II Fleur de Lis. The Victoria Oliver trainee has placed in multiple graded races.
Gardenia can be a tricky trip
The one-turn, one mile configuration of Ellis Park’s racetrack has often proven to be a difficult trip for some horses. Reigning Breeder’s Cup Filly & Mare Sprint champion Groupie Doll made a comeback appearance in last year’s Gardenia only to finish third at 1/5 odds before going on to win the BC Filly & Mare Sprint again.
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