3/21/11
Last updated: 3/23/11 7:23 PM
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Inglorious (outside) will
not have Kathmanblu to worry about in the FG Oaks
(Lou Hodges Jr./Hodges Photography) |
With the defection of Rachel Alexandra S. (G3) winner Kathmanblu (Bluegrass
Cat) to the April 9 Ashland S. (G1), INGLORIOUS (Hennessy) has become the top
draw for Saturday’s $500,000
Fair
Grounds Oaks (G2). The bay lass finished well in the Rachel Alexandra to
take second and could return to the winner’s circle in Saturday’s 1 1/16-mile
test over the New Orleans oval.
Inglorious was making just her third lifetime start when going in the Rachel
Alexandra on February 19. The Josie Carroll charge actually began her racing
career north of the border and easily captured her initial two races at
Woodbine. She stretched out from a 1 3/4-length score in the six-furlong
Fanfreluche S. to dominate the 1 1/16-mile Ontario Lassie S. by 5 3/4 lengths in
early December. The three-year-old miss will keep regular rider Chantal
Sutherland in the saddle while seeking her first graded win in the Fair Grounds
Oaks.
DAISY DEVINE (Kafwain) could make some noise in the race following her neck
second in the Silverbulletday S. in January. The Andrew McKeever trainee showed
her dislike for the synthetic Polytrack at Keeneland in her career bow in
October, but quickly earned an initial victory when going against maiden
claiming rivals at Fair Grounds next out. She progressed through the ranks,
taking an allowance on December 30, then returned for her stakes debut in the
Silverbulletday and just fell short to Grade 3 winner Bouquet Booth (Flower
Alley). James Graham was aboard for her maiden and the Silverbulletday, and
retains the mount on Saturday.
LITTLE MISS HOLLY (Maria’s Mon) immediately took to the Fair Grounds dirt
when breaking her maiden by six lengths on December 9 and stepped up to take on
stakes company in the Silverbulletday for her next start. Trained by Steve
Margolis, who has also entered optional claiming heroine SWITCHING GEARS
(Tapit), the chestnut lass was just a length back of Daisy Devine on the wire
and has room for improvement following a two-month break. Edgar Prado has the
call on Little Miss Holly, while Shaun Bridgmohan will take the reins on
Switching Gears.
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While Snow Fall will be staying on the dirt, NIJI’S GRAND GIRL (Candy Ride
[Arg]) returns to the main track after taking on the grassy Florida Oaks last
out. The Kenny McPeek runner ran well to be third on that day but she’ll be
going for the big prize here. Also in with a chance is GRANDACIOUS (Grand Slam),
who regressed badly to be a distant sixth in the Martha Washington S. at Oaklawn
Park last out. Prior to that one, though, the Bret Calhoun-conditioned bay was
third in the Delta Downs Princess (G3), just a neck back of Niji’s Grand Girl in
second, and runner-up in the My Trusty Cat S.
SNOW FALL (War Front) would have been an interesting new prospect in the Fair Grounds
Oaks, having just broken her maiden by 5 1/2 lengths on February 25, but the Michael
Stidham pupil spiked a temperature on Sunday and will be scratched out of the
race, according to the Daily Racing Form.
The Fair Grounds Oaks field is completed by Rachel Alexandra sixth-placer
TAPIT DANCER (Tapit) and maiden winners TOURMALINE (Kafwain) and ST. JOHN’S
RIVER (Include).
