Violet

Seven turf distaffers were entered for Friday night’s Violet H. (G3) at the
Meadowlands, and OCEAN DRIVE (Belong to Me) is listed as the 2-1 favorite on the
morning-line. The Todd Pletcher trainee captured her last two starts, earning a
BRIS Speed rating of 102 in each, and scored in only her second career start
over the track in the 2002 Salem County S. She’s the one to beat in this 8
1/2-furlong grass test, but we’ll try to do just that with CAUGHT IN THE RAIN
(Petionville).

The dark bay five-year-old has earned top honors in the Mrs. Penny S. at
Philadelphia Park for the past three years, and enters Saturday’s race off an
easy four-length win in the Yankee Affair S. Caught in the Rain posted a 112
BRIS Late Pace figure for her victory there, which was her third straight stakes
win. Conditioned by Guadalupe Preciado, she owns a 5-0-2 record from nine tries
at the distance, and will have regular rider Harry Vega back in the saddle while
going for her fourth consecutive score.

With the stellar combination of Pletcher and Velazquez in her corner, Ocean
Drive is practically guaranteed to go off the favorite. The four-year-old miss
would have earned that status in her own right, though, after taking the
Ballston Spa Breeders’ Cup H. (G3) and Noble Damsel H. (G3) in her past two
starts. She loves the distance (10-6-3-0) and will try to add a fifth stakes win
to her record for this year.

WHERE WE LEFT OFF (GB) (Dr Devious [Ire]) has finished worse than second only
twice from 12 career starts. Her most recent race resulted in a close runner-up
finish in the Glens Falls H. (G3), and she posted a rallying score in the
Matchmaker S. (G3) at Monmouth Park prior to that one. Trained Christophe
Clement, the four-year-old chestnut has a legitimate chance at the win with Joe
Bravo.

CHANGING WORLD (Spinning World) is going for her first graded victory in this
spot in only her third start this year. The Barclay Tagg trainee earned 97 Speed
and 104 Late Pace ratings for a good fourth in the Noble Damsel last out. She
could challenge in the top three at a good price. HIGH COURT (Brz) (Blush
Rambler), second in the Noble Damsel most recently, is looking for only her
second U.S. win since taking the Fort Monmouth S. in her stateside debut in late
May. She could be tough with Richard Migliore in the saddle.

FAST COOKIE (Deputy Minister) was third to Ocean Drive in the Eatontown H.
(G3) in mid-July and might hang around for part here. SMART N CLASSY (Smart
Strike) doesn’t look fast enough to challenge against these.