Regret J

AMERICAN
GRADED STAKES PREVIEWS

Seven sophomore fillies will test the Churchill Downs lawn in the $200,000
Regret S. (G3) on Saturday. Grade 2 lass PURE CLAN (Pure Prize), who was third
as the 4-1 second choice in the Kentucky Oaks (G1) most recently, will likely go
favored in this nine-furlong affair, but her foes should not be taken lightly
and we’ll try to upend the Bob Holthus trainee in here.

CLEARLY FOXY (Volponi) was a smart allowance winner in advance of this and
looks like the total package for trainer Mark Casse. The bay sophomore began her
career with two facile turf scores, including a 3 1/2-length romp in the Natalma
S. (Can-G3) last fall. An unplaced showing in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies
(G1) ensued, and failed attempts over Polytrack and good turf preceded her
allowance win, in which she registered a BRIS Late Pace number of 111. The
Kentucky-bred has dominated three fields on the firm lawn and should get a nice
trip just off the early tempo in here. Shaun Bridgmohan has the assignment.

If you can muddle your way through the past performances of ABSOLUTELY
CINDY (Arch) and just focus on the grass starts, you’ll find a pretty tough
customer with a strong late kick. Conditioned by Keith Kinmon, the bay miss
captured the Caressing H. over this course last fall and was a
better-than-it-looks seventh in the Appalachian S. (G3) in her last grassy
endeavor, a race in which she rallied well into a dawdling pace against a top
field. The bay could be hard pressed to deliver a win due to her lack of early
foot, but it would be hard to deny her a placing with her best.

Pure Clan has never lost on turf, winning her first two career starts over
the green, and she should be plenty fit in returning to the lawn in this one.
The Kentucky-bred chestnut held up well this spring on the main oval against the
best in her division, and she never puts in a bad effort. Her lack of early
speed and the depth of this field lead us to believe that this is a good time to
try and beat the gritty sophomore. Julien Leparoux will be back aboard.

C J’S LEELEE (Mizzen Mast) was second to our top pick with a clear lead last
out but could improve in her second off the bench, and we’ll consider her for
the gimmicks.  The Ken McPeek trainee was a sharp, 4 1/4-length
winner in her only other turf try last campaign, and she’s well drawn on the
rail in a race without much early zip. The gray filly, who was a fine second in
the Golden Rod S. (G2) in her juvenile finale, has enough ability to run with
these and should be a factor with a clean trip beneath Robby Albarado.

Recent Edgewood S. queen ZEE ZEE (Exchange Rate) has never been worse than
second in four turf tries for Bill Mott and looks live once again. The talented
gray did benefit from a biased turf course in her latest win, but she obviously
can run with these type of rivals and may get a dream trip with a target turning for
home. Kent Desormeaux has the call.

We really like the last race for the well-bred MAGICAL THEATER (Smart
Strike), but it’s hard to make a case for the Rusty Arnold charge to top such an
experienced group at this stage of her career. The bay filly, who has won two
straight, inhaled her foes, including a comeback winner, in a recent allowance
win and appears to have a very bright future. Calvin Borel will be atop the
vastly improving homebred.

MISS MAFIOSO (Alphabet Soup) was a strong second in her lone turf start,
recording a career topping 94 BRIS Speed number for Eric Reed, but her outside
post and lack of a turf win make it hard for us to back with confidence.