Eleven square off in Lafayette
A field of 11 sophomores has been entered to go seven furlongs on Saturday in
Keeneland’s $100,000 Lafayette S., and OUT OF GWEDDA (Out of Place) will be
trying to add a second stakes win to his record. The Todd Pletcher trainee
captured the Tremont S. in just his second career start, then placed second in
the Spectacular Bid S. and third last out in the Hutcheson S. (G2) at Gulfstream
Park. Out of Gwedda will not only have to contend with his biggest field to
date and his first race on Polytrack, but also freezing conditions, as the
Lexington, Kentucky, area has been hit by a cold snap just in time for
Keeneland’s spring meet.
CARNACKS CHOICE (Carson City) will have two advantages over his rival. The
chestnut colt has been training at Keeneland of late and spent the winter in
Kentucky racing on Turfway Park’s Polytrack, where he captured the Turfway
Prevue S. and was most recently fourth in the W.E.B.N. S. The Greg Foley charge
will also be getting jockey Julien Leparoux back in the saddle.
IZZIE’S HALO (Halo’s Image) has spent much of the winter competing against
some of the best in his division. In January, the Tom Amoss-trained chestnut was
second in the Lecomte S. (G3) to eventual Lane’s End S. (G2) hero Hard Spun
(Danzig). Izzie’s Halo also ran fourth in the February 10 Risen Star S. (G3),
which was captured by Grade 2 winner and last-out Florida Derby (G1) second
Notional (In Excess [Ire]). He most recently won an allowance at Gulfstream Park
and will try to add a first stakes score to his record with the Lafayette.
Other contenders include DON’TGETMADGETEVEN (Stephen Got Even), an easy
winner of his last two over Turfway’s Polytrack; last-out Horatius S. hero CALL
ME CLASH (Clash By Night); and BARKLEY SOUND (Dixieland Band), victor of the
Pasco S. in January.
Izzie’s Halo will lead the post parade under a 117-pound impost, including
jockey Robby Albarado. Next in line will be OLLIE JET (Stormy Atlantic), Jamie
Theriot, 117; SILVER EXPRESS (Unbridled’s Song), Rene Douglas, 117; STORM FORCE
(Storm Cat), Shaun Bridgmohan, 117; Don’tgetmadeven, Bill Troilo, 117; PLACE
YOUR BET (Out of Place), Alonso Quinonez, 117; Call Me Clash, Jeremy Rose, 119;
Out of Gwedda, Garrett Gomez, 119; Carnacks Choice, 119; PROM SHOES (Include),
Rafael Bejarano, 117; and Barkley Sound, James Graham, 119.