Bewitch Preview

A field of eight fillies and mares will line up for Wednesday’s $100,000
Bewitch S. (G3) on the Keeneland grass. CAPE TOWN LASS (Horse Chestnut [SAf])
enters this 1 1/2-mile contest on a two-race win streak, both of which she took
by 1 3/4 lengths. Trained by Paul McGee, the four-year-old won her only outing
at this distance, that coming in her last victory over this same course. The dark bay has some incredible closing power, earning
century-topping BRIS Late Pace ratings in seven of her last nine tries. This
should work to her benefit against this field, which highlights mostly early-
and middle-pace runners. James Graham will ride.

STRIKE ME LUCKY (Smart Strike) comes off an impressive 8 1/2-length score
against optional claiming company. The four-year-old miss has been to the
winner’s circle three times in four races since Grant Hofmans took over training
duties last fall. As is with Cape Town Lass, her wait-and-see type of running
style should prove beneficial here. The only question would be if she could go
the 1 1/2-mile distance, but with morning-line odds of 20-1, she should be a
good play at the windows. Rafael Mojica has the call.

NOBLE STELLA (Ger) (Monsun) will be making her fourth appearance since moving
stateside. In her last outing, she was beaten by Cape Town Lass in the final furlong after leading
from the start. The Roger Attfield trainee
won her last race in Europe at the same distance as the Bewitch by three lengths
and should be able to find a top three placing here with Mike Smith aboard.

ANGARA (GB) (Alzao) is another who found success in her homeland before
shipping to the United States to try her luck. The four-year-old has shown that
she can rate just off the pace or make a run from the back, as she did in her
last outing to win going away by two lengths for trainer Patrick Biancone. This
versatility always makes a dangerous player. Jockey Gary Stevens, who has won
three of his last 11, was aboard for that ride and will return.

MY DEAR LADY (Arg) (Mutakddim) got off to a bad start in her last try at this
distance and never factored. The five-year-old John Ward Jr. charge should fare
better than that seventh-place finish given a good break here. STORMIN’ DAINA
(Storm Creek) exits a seventh in the Orchid H. (G2) at Gulfstream Park. She has
proven herself on both surfaces with equal success on both, but these sporadic
victories make her hard to recommend here.

LITERACY (Diesis [GB]) has not been a threat in her last three outings,
forcing us to just watch for now. BALLISTIC BABE (Bates Motel) has not been too
impressive lately, so we will bet against.