Pocahontas J

Eleven two-year-old fillies will attempt to add a Grade 3 win to their
resume when challenging the $100,000 Pocahontas S. (G3) at Churchill on Sunday.
With the abundance of early speed signed on for this one-mile affair, we’ll look
for a closer to take home the winner’s share of the purse.

LADY JOANNE (Orientate) was ultra-impressive in her maiden tally at Keeneland
and has the look of an upsetter in here. Trained by Carl Nafzger, the bay filly
is bred to handle this trip with ease and has worked exclusively at Churchill
Downs in her young career, leading us to believe that she’ll handle the surface.
The miss counts multiple Grade 3 heroine Baghdaria (Royal Academy) as a
half-sister and will join that one in graded glory following this race. John
McKee will ride.

TALETOBETOLD (Tale of the Cat) could be another who benefits from a rapid
early pace and has a big shot in this one for Eddie Kenneally. The dark bay is a
winner over this surface and was a game second in the Bassinet S. two back,
prior to winning an allowance tilt at Keeneland last out. We’re a bit concerned
about the quick wheel back after just a nine-day break, but Kenneally is 22
percent on
the year and we’ll trust his opinion. Top jock Julien Leparoux will guide the
filly.

CHANGE UP (Distorted Humor) was caught in a serious speed duel in the
Arlington-Washington Breeders’ Cup Lassie S. (G3) in the slop last out, and we’ll give the
talented gal a pass for that one. The Steve Flint trainee was excellent in both
tries over the surface, and if she’s able to rate early, she has a big chance at
the win. A must-use in all wagers.

MISTICAL PLAN (Game Plan) is as quick as any filly out of the gate on either
coast and will try to take this field gate-to-wire for conditioner Doug O’Neill.
The California-bred bay has two fates as we can see it — to get clear and make
them catch her, or battle on the front and tire late, your call. Rafael Bejarano
will guide the swift miss.

BARONESS THATCHER (Johannesburg) was very impressive in taking her maiden
race last try and seems to have a good deal of upside. Trained by Dale Romans,
the chestnut has experience over the surface, is bred to handle two turns and
smoked a pair of impressive half-miles in preparation for this contest. The filly
should be closing late under Mark Guidry.

MOSTBEAUTIFULSTORM (Storm Boot) was aided by a bias in her maiden score, but
the miss was still impressive for Romans. The lass showed a new dimension in
rating off the pace that day, and it would likely be wise for her to do the same
on this occasion. We can’t endorse this one for a big prize, but a minor award
is not out of the question.

LISA M (Banker’s Gold) is a late-running Grade 3 victress with the
advantageous rail draw, but she simply appears a bit slow for this group. PRO
PINK (Touch Gold) was a nice second over this surface in the Kentucky Breeders’
Cup S. (G3) but looks nothing like a route horse, and will likely be tired late.

COHIBA MISS (Cat Thief), EXPERTISE (Hennessy) and LITTLEBITABLING (Carson
City) all prefer to be on or right off the lead, which will likely lead to their
undoing in this fray.