Return to Today's Full Edition

www.brisnet.com
Phone: (800)354-9206
edit.staff@brisnet.com

 
 Printer Friendly Page 

Summer Applause tops Allaire duPont Distaff; Maryland Sprint draws 10

The well-traveled Summer Applause will be trying Pimlico for the first time in the Allaire duPont Distaff (Ross Woodson/Horsephotos.com)

Summer Applause will tote the co-highweight of 124 pounds on Saturday as she goes for her second win of 2013 in the Grade 3, $150,000 Allaire duPont Distaff on the Preakness undercard at Pimlico.

The 1 1/16-mile race shares the program with six other undercard stakes, three of which have been scheduled for the turf. The other main track events are the Grade 3, $150,000 Maryland Sprint Handicap sending 10 runners six furlongs; the $100,000 Chick Lang featuring nine sophomores sprinting six furlongs; and the $100,000 Rollicking, which drew eight juveniles dashing five-eighths at Old Hilltop.

A field of seven was entered in the Allaire duPont, including fellow 124-pound topweight Withgreatpleasure. That mare's participation is still in doubt, though, as she has been cross-entered to the Vagrancy at Belmont Park on the same day. The chestnut would be tough in this spot, having scored in the Ruffian Handicap last out at Aqueduct.

If Withgreatpleasure opts for the Vagrancy, Summer Applause appears the one to beat off a fourth-placing in the Apple Blossom Handicap at Oaklawn Park on April 12. The Harlan's Holiday miss stalked the early pace in second, ranged up to make her bid but faded to fourth on the wire. That followed a nice 2 3/4-length victory in the Top Flight Handicap at Aqueduct on March 2, which marked her first race for new trainer Chad Brown.

Summer Applause will be making her Pimlico debut but has never had trouble acclimating to different tracks in the past. The talented four-year-old owns a 3-2-0 mark from seven tries at the distance, including a victory in last year's Rachel Alexandra at Fair Grounds, and reclaims the services of top jockey John Velazquez for the Allaire duPont.

Among those lining up against Summer Applause is Brushed by a Star, who is looking for a first win since transferring to the shedrow of Eddie Kenneally.

The five-year-old daughter of Eddington eked out a head score in the Chilukki at Churchill Downs in November before selling for $400,000 at the Fasig-Tipton November Sale. She was sent to Kenneally, who has thus far saddled the bay for placings in the Falls City Handicap, Houston Ladies Classic, Santa Margarita and Sixty Sails Handicap.

Action Andy is looking to improve on his third-placing in last year's Maryland Sprint Handicap (Tom Cooley Photography)

Brushed by a Star is seeking a return to the winner's circle and could finally accomplish that task with Joel Rosario taking the reins for the first time.

Also in with a chance Saturday is Grade 1 runner-up Sea Island, who returned from a five-month layoff to be second against Keeneland allowance rivals in only her second turf try on April 12. Prior to that effort, which was the Pulpit filly's first race outside of New York, she ran second in the Gazelle on Aqueduct's dirt to close out her sophomore season in late November.

Local rompers Daydreamin Gracie and Access to Charlie could win one for their native Maryland. The former triumphed by eight lengths in the Shine Again over track and distance despite a stumbling start on April 27 to remain perfect in 2013, but her connections would have to choose this contest over the grassy Gallorette Handicap exactly one race later on the program. The Domestic Dispute mare has spent the majority of her career competing on turf and was cross-entered to that Grade 3 turf event.

Access to Charlie, on the other hand, shows just six of her 19 career races on grass. She was last seen finishing third in the Conniver at Laurel Park in late March following a pair of stakes placings behind the re-opposing Pennsylvania-bred Moon Philly. That four-year-old daughter of Malibu Moon captured the Maryland Racing Media and Nellie Morse at Laurel by a combined 12 1/2 lengths in her past two and will be returning from a near three-month break.

Two races later, the Maryland Sprint Handicap will see Action Andy look to improve on his third-place effort in this same event from 12 months ago. He entered last year's Maryland Sprint Handicap off a subpar sixth in the Sir Shackleton at Gulfstream Park, but this time around was runner-up in that contest on March 30. The Gators n Bears gelding captured three straight races last fall, taking the Maryland Million Sprint and Frank J. De Francis Memorial Dash at Laurel before defending his title in the Pelican at Tampa Bay Downs.

Action Andy will have to overcome fellow stakes winners Candyman E and Laurie's Rocket, who were each third in graded contests in their last races, to add the Maryland Sprint 'Cap to his resume.

Stakes victor Clawback will take on Grade 2-placed Undrafted in the Chick Lang earlier on the day while the Rollicking -- featuring a mixed group of juvenile colts, fillies and geldings -- will kick off the stakes action in the 4TH race.

Bet Horseracing Free Online at TwinSpires.com


 


Send this article to a friend