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Tropical Turf, My Charmer on tap at Calder If the fields assembled for Saturday's $100,000 Tropical Turf H. (G3) and $100,000 My Charmer H. (G3) at Calder are any indication, the prime winter racing season in South Florida will soon be in full swing. Contested over 1 1/8 miles on the grass, both the Tropical Turf and My Charmer have attracted solid fields with many familiar names. BALLAST (Ire) (Desert Prince [Ire]), who has captured the last two runnings of the Tropical Turf, will seek to earn an unprecedented third straight win in the race under Jeremy Rose. In winning last year's renewal, the Graham Motion-trained seven-year-old joined The Vid (1994-95) as the only back-to-back winners in the race's history. While The Vid retired before getting his chance at a three-peat, Ballast enters in improving form following a determined allowance win over the Keeneland turf on October 22. SOLDIER'S DANCER (Lost Soldier), also a multiple Grade 3 winner over the Calder turf, hopes to amend for a costly stumble at the start of the November 8 Bonnie Heath Turf Cup, which caused jockey Manoel Cruz to be unseated. Soldier's Dancer was the even-money choice that day following stakes wins in three of his four prior starts, including the Miami Mile H. (G3) two back. Also joining the fray are ICY ATLANTIC (Stormy Atlantic), the Grade 2 winner who was the prime beneficiary of Soldier's Dancer's misfortune in the Bonnie Heath; SPICE ROUTE (GB) (King's Best), the Canadian International (Can-G1) runner-up who was also in the frame of the Sky Classic S. (Can-G2) and a close fifth in the Northern Dancer S. (Can-G1); the veteran SILVER TREE (Hennessy), who won this race in 2005; MINISTER'S JOY (Deputy Minister), a fast-closing third behind Ballast last year; and Spend a Buck H. (G3) winner IT'S A BIRD (Birdonthewire). RUTHERIENNE (Pulpit), whose career highlight occurred in the Del Mar Oaks (G1) last year, will put her unbeaten Calder turf streak on the line in the My Charmer, which attracted a field of 12 plus two also-eligibles. After a gutsy score in the April 12 Jenny Wiley S. (G2) following a winter break of more than three months, the Christophe Clement filly has finished third in five subsequent outings, including the Gamely S. (G1), Diana S. (G1) and First Lady S. (G1). Among her three triumphs on the local lawn was the Frances Genter S. (G3) last December. Nassau S. (Can-G2) heroine and E.P. Taylor S. (Can-G1) runner-up CALLWOOD DANCER (Ire) (Danehill Dancer) faltered as the 2-1 favorite in the Cardinal H. (G3) last time, but might find her early zip more potent provided she gets firmer ground here. Others of note in the My Charmer are the multiple Grade 1-placed JADE QUEEN (Giant's Causeway), who seeks her first win in more than two years; sophomore NEVER RETREAT (Smart Strike), a smart 1 1/2-length winner of her turf debut in Aqueduct's Rare Blend S. last out; and Northern California invader WILD PROMISES (Wild Event), who has virtually run out of competition back home after four consecutive stakes wins.
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