AMERICAN
GRADED STAKES PREVIEWS
| LAS FLORES H.
(G3), 8TH-SA, $100,000, 4YO/UP, F/M, 6.5F, 4:07 P.M. PDT, 4-4 |
|
| 1 |
MOTHER RUTH, 4, f, by SpeightstownSeven Four Seven, by Colonial Affair O-Zayat Stables LLC; B-Pollock Farms, Geroge Saufley II, Frank Taylor Family (Ky) |
| 2 |
MONA DE MOMMA, 4, f, by SpeightstownSociety Gal, by Linkage O-Michael Talla; B-Kim & Rodney Nardelli, Dr. Michael (Ky) |
| 3 |
SHE’S CHEEKY, 5, m, by Black MinnalousheZadkiel, by Saint Ballado O-Alesia Bran Jam Stable or Ciaglia Racing; B-Lynn & Kathy Jones (Ky) |
| 4 |
HALLELUJAH TRAIL, 4, f, by Gilded TimeRunaway Aly, by Alydeed O-John & Janene Maryanski; B-Dennis & Carol Yokum (Ky) |
| 5 |
ALPHA KITTEN, 4, f, by Tale of the CatAlpha Mama, by Unbridled’s Song O-Mr. & Mrs. J. S. Moss; B-Moss Jerome Mr. & Mrs. (Ky) |
| 6 |
MISS MCCALL, 4, f, by Lightnin N ThunderDevil’s Banner, by Devil’s Bag O-Anastasi or Mitchell or Ukegawa; B-Whisper Hill Farm (Fl) |
| 7 |
FREE FLYING SOUL, 5, m, by Quiet AmericanRuby Surprise, by Farma Way O-Marsha Naify; B-James Temple Hines Jr. (Ky) |
| 8 |
GILDED GEM, 4, f, by Smarty JonesGolden Jewel Box, by Slew o’ Gold O-Gaines-Gentry Thoroughbreds & Nip; B-Gaines-Gentry Thoroughbreds & Serengeti Stable (Ky) |
Sunday’s Las Flores H. (G3) looks wide open and we’ll tab the speed, MISS
MCCALL (Lightnin N Thunder), for a wire-to-wire win. Freshened for this
appearance by Mike Mitchell, the four-year-old gray registered two sharp scores
prior to a fourth in the Sunshine Millions Filly & Mare Sprint, where she
contested wicked fractions (:21 2/5 and :43 3/5) before weakening slightly. Her
BRIS numbers are commendable (first in Prime Power) and she looks capable of
controlling the pace on Sunday beneath Joe Talamo.
FREE FLYING SOUL (Quiet American) is the probable favorite and it will be no
surprise to see her in the winner’s circle. A four-time winner over the track
and multiple Grade 1-placed, the Bruce Headley-trained mare exits a good third
in a tough six-furlong allowance and shows a five-furlong bullet work in
preparation for this start. She’ll be close from the start under Mike Smith and
will look to pounce turning for home.
ALPHA KITTEN (Tale of the Cat) is another logical win candidate. Sidelined
following her victory in the 2009 Santa Ynez (G2), she returned with a good
second in a February 24 allowance and is eligible to move forward for trainer
John Sadler in her second start back. The gray is 3-1-2-0 over the track and
should sit a good stalking trip under Tyler Baze.
MONA DE MOMMA (Speightstown) owns a solid finishing kick, registering
triple-digit Late Pace numbers in her last two outings, and is eligible to run
well here in her third start off a freshening. Consider for the exotics.
HALLELUJAH TRAIL (Gilded Time) should enjoy a good trip with her tactical
speed but will be tested for class in her stakes debut. We respect trainer Jerry
Hollendorfer and this filly’s recent form, and we’ll include her on the bottom
of some tickets at long odds. GILDED GEM (Smarty Jones) could outperform our
expectations, but we don’t like the 89 BRIS Speed rating she recorded when
finishing second at odds-on in a recent allowance/optional claiming event. We’ll
take a stand against her at short odds with Garrett Gomez.
SHE’S CHEEKY (Black Minnaloushe) likes Pro-Ride (5-3-1-1) but hasn’t won
since 2008. We question whether she’s good enough presently to challenge. MOTHER
RUTH (Speightstown) has class concerns in this spot and hasn’t shown enough
on synthetics for us to recommend her chances.