Category : News
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Wed 04/05/2016 – 22:16 EDT
On Friday at Churchill Downs, the graded stakes action will begin with the $300,000 La Troienne Stakes. Restricted to fillies and mares, the Grade 1 will be contested at a mile and a sixteenth and has drawn a field of seven.
Sheer Drama headlines the competitive field as the morning line favorite at odds of 8-5 for trainer David Fawkes. A six-year-old daughter of Burning Roma, the chestnut mare is a seven-time winner and a multiple graded stakes winner. She made her first start since finishing fourth in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1) a winning one with a victory in the Madison Stakes (G1) at Keeneland. Joe Bravo will be in the irons and they will break from post position two.
Four-year-old debut for Curalina
Second choice at morning line odds of 9-5 is Curalina for trainer Todd Pletcher. A four-year-old daughter of Curlin, she has been on the board in all eight starts and is a four-time winner. She has been on the bench since finishing third in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1) and has been training strongly for her seasonal debut. John Velazquez will be aboard and they will break from the inside post.
Penwith looking to return to form
Also in the field at morning line odds of 7-2 is Penwith for trainer Kiaran McLaughlin. A five-year-old daughter of Bernardini, she is out of graded stakes winner Composure and is a homebred for Godolphin Racing. She has won five of her fourteen starts and is trying to improve off of a fourth-place finish in the Santa Margarita Stakes (G1) last time out. Luis Saez will be aboard from post position five.
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A familiar name from the 2016 Kentucky Derby trail is expected to go the gate for the Super Derby, as Mo Tom has been made the 7-5 favorite in the morning line.
On Sunday at Aqueduct, the featured race is the $200,000 Distaff Handicap. Restricted to fillies and mares, the Grade 3 event will be held at seven furlongs on the main track and has drawn a field of seven.
On Saturday at Tampa Bay Downs, the featured race is the $75,000 Ocala Breeders’ Sales Sophomore Stakes. Restricted to three-year-olds bred in Florida, the seven furlong contest has drawn a field of seven colts and geldings.
On Saturday at Gulfstream Park, the stakes action will kick off with the $150,000 Skip Away Stakes. Carded at a mile and an eighth on the main track, the Grade 3 has drawn a field of six colts and geldings.
