WinStar Distaff J

Grade 1 heroine SWEET TALKER (Stormin Fever) takes top billing when 10
fillies and mares contest the grassy $200,000 WinStar Distaff H. (G3) at Lone
Star on Monday. It’s hard to knock the classy filly and we can certainly see her
in the winners’ circle following the race, but we’ll try to beat the likely
odds-on choice.

LOCK AND KEY (Ire) (Key of Luck) ran a credible fifth against a solid field
in the Churchill Distaff Turf Mile S. (G3) on Derby Day and could be much tougher in her second
start at one mile. The four-year-old has settled for minor awards often in
the past, but her late kick could prove the difference in here. We’re quite
intrigued that Pat Valenzuela makes the trip from California to pilot the lass,
and we’ll make her our top choice in this affair. 

Sweet Talker was super impressive in taking the Dahlia S. at Laurel most
recently, her first outing since a triumph in the Queen Elizabeth II
Invitational Challenge Cup S. (G1) last fall. The dark bay seems to be at her
best at more than eight furlongs, and she could be a tad vulnerable at the mile trip
in this contest. The four-year-old could certainly win, but she’ll stay second
with us. Ramon Dominguez makes the trek to ride.

JOINT ASPIRATION (GB) (Pivotal) is perfect from two turf outings since coming
to the United States and could also challenge for the win. Conditioned by Patrick
Biancone, the chestnut was a facile winner of an allowance prep at Keeneland and
should be plenty fresh for this test. It’s hard to gauge the class level of the
four-year-old, but she could be the real deal. The nation’s leading jockey,
Julien Leparoux, will be aboard the miss.

Defending champ KATDOGAWN (GB) (Bahhare) has not won since taking this race
in 2005 and faces a tougher field than she did last year. The hard trying
six-year-old always puts in a late run, and her tactical speed could put her in
a nice position turning for home. We think the Wally Dollase charge could be
heard from late, so we’ll include her in all exotic wagers.

PAZ CIUDADANA (Chi) (Golden Voyager) seems to have a nose for the wire and
could be a huge exotics threat at big odds for Steve Asmussen. The bay mare loves
the distance (10-6-0-0) and owns a win over this course, but faces slightly
better competition than she’s seen in the past. We’ll use her in all exotics.

The wildcard of the race is the German import PEACEFUL LOVE (Ger) (Dashing
Blade) from the barn of Jeff Mullins. The Group 3 heroine was a non-threatening
seventh in the Del Mar Oaks (G1) in her U.S. bow last summer, and was a sharp
fourth in a French Group 3 prior to that. With the extended layoff, the
outermost post and expected hot conditions, we’d prefer to watch one before
making a clear judgment on the four-year-old.

STRETCHING (Red Ransom) has reeled off three consecutive turf scores,
including the Jersey Lily S. most recently, but steps up the class ladder a few
rungs in here. Trained by Michael Stidham, the four-year-old would do well to
finish on the board in here. STELA (Chi) (Sam M.) was a nice winner of the
Honeymoon S. on the main surface in her last outing, but faces a more daunting
task in here. The six-year-old owns three wins on the sod so a top four placing
is possible.

MY MISTY PRINCESS (Acceptable) and CAVIAR EMPTOR (Quiet American) are both
useful horses that like to win, but will likely find this spot a bit too much at
this point in their respective careers.