Humana Distaff J

AMERICAN
GRADED STAKES PREVIEWS

Champion INFORMED DECISION (Monarchos) leads a strong field in the $300,000
Humana Distaff S. (G1) on Saturday at Churchill Downs, but we’re
going to try to beat the classy mare.

DUBAI MAJESTY (Essence of Dubai) had a big lead in the stretch in this dash
last year before being reeled in late, but we’re taking a
chance that the mare gets it done on this day for Bret Calhoun. Second in the Madison S. (G1)
last out, the Florida-bred dark bay should sit just off the early leaders before
putting in her best run beneath Jamie Theriot.

Informed Decision won this race last year and is clearly the one to beat in
this one for conditioner Jonathan Sheppard, but we feel like she’s a smidge
below her best when running on dirt. The gray five-year-old has good positional
speed and should get a strong early pace at which to run, so we can’t leave
her off of our gimmicks with Julien Leparoux.

MONA DE MOMMA (Speightstown), who bagged the Las Flores H. (G3) last out, is
our longshot sleeper for trainer John Sadler. The talented bay has posted solid
98 BRIS Speed numbers in two straight and drilled a bullet six panels in advance
of this, so we expect her to offer a big challenge late from the widest post
with Joel Rosario.

WARBLING (Unbridled’s Song) broke through with a huge tally in the Inside
Information S. (G2) last out, registering a 109 BRIS Speed figure in the process
for trainer Eddie Kenneally. The gray filly has never run a poor one and is
seemingly getting better with each start, so we must consider the four-year-old
as a prime contender with Ramon Dominguez. RATED FIESTY (Exchange Rate) has a world of talent and is perfect from two
tries on this strip in her career by a combined 11 lengths for conditioner
Steve Asmussen. The gray mare has raced just once since February of 2009, when
fourth in the Carousel S. most recently. We would not be floored if the
Florida-bred upset this field, and if she had more seasoning we would go with
her, but for now she’s just on our exotics plays.

DR. ZIC (Milwaukee Brew) led at every call in the recent Madison at
Keeneland and should be rolling from the opening bell from the rail for trainer
Joan Scott. The speedy four-year-old miss has one style and has never proven to
be rateable in the past and she should face a bunch of speed in this one, so
we’re leaning toward going against the chestnut with Kent Desormeaux. DOUBLE ESPRESSO (Medaglia d’Oro) is very consistent but doesn’t look ready to
tackle a Grade 1 field at this stage of her development. Dual Grade 1-placed
FREE FLYING SOUL (Quiet American) has a ton of early foot but is a complete
mystery on dirt, so we’ll just watch for now.

Grade 3 winner PRETTY PROLIFIC (Lion Heart) was second in the Test S. (G1) in
the summer and is capable on her best day, but we can’t use her against these.
CASSIDYS PRIDE (Medaglia d’Oro) earned a whopping 106 BRIS Speed number when
upsetting the Harmony Lodge H. at Gulfstream Park last out for Manuel Estevez,
but until we see the bay do it on a consistent basis, we’ll shop around.