The Grade 3 Rachel Alexandra one of six stakes races on the February 22 card at Fair Grounds has attracted a field of ten three year-old fillies to contest the 1 1/16 mile event on the main track.
Shook Up is the 7/2 morning line favorite for trainer Steve Asmussen and will break from the rail with Robbie Albarado in the irons. The grey or roan daughter of Tapit has just a maiden victory to her credit in three career starts, but has posted Beyer Speed Figures of 75, 93, and 84 which puts in squarely in the mix for win honors against this field. Shook Up disappointed as the 3/10 favorite in her last start, running second by two and a half lengths to Lovely Maria (5/1), who she will face again in the Rachel Alexandra.
I’m a Chatterbox (4/1) was an impressive gate-to-wire winner of the January 17 Silverbulletday Stakes at Fair Grounds, but moves from the rail to the far outside post in the Rachel Alexandra and seems likely encounter more of a challenge grabbing the early lead. I’m a Chatterbox has won two of four career starts and showed tremendous improvement last out making her first start out of the Larry Jones barn.
West Coast Belle (6/1) was bumped at the break in the Silverbulletday and never seemed comfortable in the race following a six and half week layoff. The Wayne Catalano trainee should benefit from a better trip, and will be tough to beat if able to reproduce the form she showed winning the Grade 2 Golden Rod Stakes at Churchill last fall.
The Grade 2 $1.25 million Pennsylvania Derby features the two biggest names from the Triple Crown trail September 24 at Parx as a field of 12 gathers in one of the most intriguing betting races of the year.
The $1 million Cotillion Stakes September 24 at Parx features a true clash of the titans as the six-horse field is headlined by the undefeated, five-time grade 1 winner Songbird who figures to face the most stern challenge of her career.
In a completely wide open renewal of the Presque Isle Mile September 18 at Presque Isle Downs, 13 runners including the also-eligible will contest the eight furlong trip over synthetic footing.
Champion Songbird is set to make her much-anticipated return to the races in the $200,000 Summertime Oaks at Santa Anita on Saturday. The Grade 2 event will be run at a mile and a sixteenth and has attracted a field of seven.
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