The $500,000 Spinster S. (G1) is generally regarded as the biggest race
of the Keeneland Fall Meet, and Sunday’s 50th running matches a field of 11 distaffers. Last year’s runner-up, TAMWEEL (Gulch), is a top contender, and
trainer Todd Pletcher has a dangerous, uncoupled pair in CAPESIDE LADY (Cape
Town) and ISOLA PIU BELLA (Chi) (Rich Man’s Gold).
Tamweel brought strong form into last year’s event, winning the Mariah Storm
S. and finishing second to 2003 Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1) heroine, Adoration
(Honor Grades),
in the Arlington Matron H. (G3). She probably threw a scare into the
connections of Azeri (Jade Hunter) during the Spinster, leading most of the way before
grudgingly giving way to finish second by three lengths. Tamweel has started
only three times this year, but she does enter off an encouraging third in the
seven-furlong Steve van Buren H. and could be rounding into top form for trainer
Steven Asmussen.
Capeside Lady reeled off authoritative wins in the Monmouth Beach S. and Molly
Pitcher Breeders’ Cup H. (G2) before tackling tougher company last time in the
Ruffian H. (G1). The four-year-old filly is very quick and is a front-end threat
under Chris DeCarlo. John Velazquez rides Isola Piu Bella, who has been
freshened since recording an eighth as the 6-5 favorite in the Delaware H. (G2).
The Chilean champion reeled off consecutive stakes wins prior to that and posted
a sharp victory earlier this year in the Sabin H. (G3) at Gulfstream Park. She
could challenge for it all if she recaptures her previous form from this season.
Multiple Grade 2 queen BENDING STRINGS (American Chance) is another
contender, and stakes winner WINNING SEASON (Lemon Drop Kid) merits
consideration following a sharp score in her last start for trainer D. Wayne
Lukas.
The complete field, from the rail with riders, is PLEASANT HOME (Seeking the
Gold), Cornelio Velasquez; SANTA CANDIDA (Arg) (Espaciado), Omar Berrio; Bending
Strings, Gary Stevens; Winning Season, Mike Smith; Tamweel, Jerry Bailey; Isola
Piu Bella; PAMPERED PRINCESS (Indian Charlie), Eddie Castro; Capeside Lady; GO
GIRLFRIEND GO (Demidoff), John Jacinto; MISS FORTUNATE (Deputy Minister), Larry
Melancon; and HALORY LEIGH (Halory Hunter), Craig Perret.
All starters will carry 123 pounds except the three-year-old Winning Season,
who totes 120.