Excuses, Excuses, Excuses

Going into the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies last year, I really thought A to the Croft was all set to run a huge race and possibly pull the upset. But when she went to the lead I was caught off guard. Perhaps I shouldn't have been, since she had turned in some impressive efforts sprinting beforehand. Nevertheless, she went to the lead in the slop, hooked up with Indian Blassing, and the rest is history.

Her efforts as a sophomore have not been what I expected. But perhaps they are not without an excuse. Her first start of the year came at Turfway, and she ran a decent race as the favorite against stakes company. Then she tackled allowance foes at Keeneland and, in all honesty, did not show her class. However, it is worth noting that both efforts this year came on Polytrack. And maybe, just maybe, even though she ran 2nd over the Keeneland strip in a Grade I last year, she runs better on dirt. Hey, it's a possibility, right?

All I'm saying is that A to the Croft is one who could sneak up on them and make a play at an Oaks victory. And the price will be right thanks to three poor efforts where excuses can be made.