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.