Secret Gesture usually comes up short at this level and, despite landing a Grade 1 at Woodbine last month, Just The Judge will find this tougher - especially if Dank is back to her best. The latter bids to repeat last year's win in this when she had EMOLLIENT a length behind in fourth. But Bill Mott's filly beat Parranda, Irish Mission and Rusty Slipper in first-time blinkers to win a Grade 1 prep-race over track and trip last time and looks to be coming to hand at just the right time this year. Irish raider and Matron Stakes winner Fiesolana will need to improve stepping back up in trip while Stephanie's Kitten makes most appeal of Chad Brown's pair having picked-up her first Grade 1 win in good style at Belmont last time.
Abaco (USA) 9-2 (8-9) 3w upper, late energy, 2nd of 9, 1 1/4l behind Stephanie's Kitten (8-9) at Belmont Park(USA) 1m 2f fll stks Grp 1 (1) in Sep.
Just The Judge (IRE) 16-10fav (8-12) Bmp str,led late,drvg, won at Woodbine(USA) 1m 2f Grp 1 gd in Oct beating Odeliz (8-12) by 1/2l, 8 ran.
Dank 10-1 (8-11) Took keen hold, held up in last pair, plugged on final 2f, never going pace to get involved, 5th of 8, 10l behind The Fugue (8-11) at Royal Ascot 1m 2f Grp 1 (1) gf in Jun.
Dayatthespa (USA) 19-5 (8-12) Cleared, veered late, won at Keeneland(USA) 1m Grp 1 (1) gd in Oct beating Better Lucky (8-12) by 1 1/4l, 9 ran.
Secret Gesture 9-2 (8-13) 3rd of 11, 3 1/2l behind Ribbons (8-13) at Deauville(FR) 1m 2f Grp 1 (1) sft in Aug.
Fiesolana (IRE) 7-1 (8-12) 7th of 14, 6l behind Olympic Glory (9-2) at Longchamp(FR) 7f Grp 1 (1) gd in Oct.
Emollient (USA) 16-5fav (8-9) 3wd into str,gamely, won at Santa Anita(USA) 1m 2f Grp 1 flls stks (1) in Sep beating Parranda (8-7) by 1/2l, 14 ran.
Irish Mission (USA) 19-5 (8-7) Steadied 3/8,willing, 3rd of 14, 2 1/4l behind Emollient (8-9) at Santa Anita(USA) 1m 2f Grp 1 flls stks (1) in Sep.
Parranda (USA) 13-2 (8-7) Fought back str,game, 2nd of 14, 1/2l behind Emollient (8-9) at Santa Anita(USA) 1m 2f Grp 1 flls stks (1) in Sep.
Stephanie's Kitten (USA) 6-5fav (8-9) 3w upper, good kick, won at Belmont Park(USA) 1m 2f fll stks Grp 1 (1) in Sep beating Abaco (8-9) by 1 1/4l, 9 ran.
Rusty Slipper (USA) 20-1 (8-7) Pulled,rail,held 3rd, 3rd of 14, 2 1/4l behind Emollient (8-9) at Santa Anita(USA) 1m 2f Grp 1 flls stks (1) in Sep.