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Eight fillies set for Sands Point; Harlington returns Saturday's feature at Belmont Park, the $150,000 Sands Point S. (G2) on the inner turf, has attracted an intriguing group of eight sophomore fillies who could boost their credentials for the July 5 American Oaks Invitational (G1) at Hollywood Park. Earlier on the card, an allowance/optional claimer holds plenty of interest, as it marks the return of the royally bred Grade 2 winner HARLINGTON (Unbridled). Appalachian S. (G3) heroine ALWAJEEHA (Dixieland Band) ranks as the most accomplished entrant in the Sands Point, which has been elevated to Grade 2 status this season. The Kiaran McLaughlin filly made her stakes debut in the Tropical Park Oaks on New Year's Day at Calder, where she had to steady on the far turn, but still finished energetically for runner-up honors to Bsharpsonata (Pulpit). Alwajeeha next lined up in an entry-level allowance at Gulfstream Park and again checked in second, beaten this time by LIFE IS SWEET (Storm Cat). The bay then broke through with her first stakes score in the Appalachian at Keeneland, rallying to a hard-fought decision over the smart Sweepstake (Ire) (Acclamation), with I LOST MY CHOO (Western Expression) a close third. John Velazquez will be back aboard Alwajeeha, who will carry the top weight of 121 pounds as she steps up to nine furlongs. Life Is Sweet, a full sister to champion Sweet Catomine, is still seeking her first taste of stakes success. After her aforementioned allowance victory at the expense of Alwajeeha, the Bill Mott pupil tried her hand against much tougher in the Ashland S. (G1) on Keeneland's Polytrack, and was not disgraced in fourth. Life Is Sweet reverted to turf for the Calder Oaks last time out, and although she encountered trouble at the start, she closed well for second in the 1 1/8-mile event. Regular rider Kent Desormeaux will guide the late-running bay. I Lost My Choo reeled off three straight wins at Gulfstream Park before her game third in the Appalachian. The deep closer found herself in the unaccustomed role of pace-presser in that contest, and she is eligible to improve with a more typical trip. Edgar Prado will reunite with the Phil Serpe filly. Completing the field are RAW SILK (Malibu Moon), a fading third in the Gaviola S. most recently; Keeneland allowance scorer LOOKALIKE (Dynaformer), who is the only contender with a victory at this distance; New York-bred allowance winners QUEEN OF PROTOCOL (Housebuster) and AMBIDAXTROUS (Deputy Commander); and the main-track only entrant, FOREST TRAIL (Forest Wildcat), from the Shug McGaughey barn. Queen of Protocol will lead the post parade beneath Cornelio Velasquez. Next will come Life Is Sweet; Lookalike, Eibar Coa; Alwajeeha; Ambidaxtrous, Rajiv Maragh; Raw Silk, Alan Garcia; I Lost My Choo; and if it is rained off the turf, Forest Trail, Alan Garcia. Except for Alwajeeha, each filly will shoulder 117 pounds. A dozen New York-breds, including three main-track only hopefuls, have signed on for the $75,000 Pebo's Guy S. three races earlier on the Saturday card. Among the top threats in the grassy six-furlong dash are SILVER TIMBER (Prime Timber) and SOUTHERN PRINCE (Hennessy), the respective second and third from the Music Prince S. last time out; GIMME CREDIT (Artax), who cuts back to a sprint for the first time since his romp in the Notoriety S. here last June; and three-year-old gelding CANNONBALL (Catienus), who is also shortening up in hopes of sparking a form turnaround. Before the turf stakes action begins, the talented but fragile Harlington will return from a year-long layoff in the 4TH race for new trainer Tom Albertrani. Out of champion and $3.2 million earner Serena's Song (Rahy), the dark bay was a $2.8 million yearling purchase at Keeneland September. The Melnyk Racing Stables colorbearer won his first two starts for Todd Pletcher, but disappointed when winding up sixth in the 2005 Risen Star S. (G3). After a nearly 10-month layoff, Harlington rolled to an impressive allowance tally at Aqueduct, which was the beginning of a three-race winning streak that culminated in the 2006 Gulfstream Park H. (G2). His sequence was broken next time out in the Pimlico Special H. (G1), where he was beaten six lengths by eventual Horse of the Year Invasor (Arg), and another lengthy spell on the sidelines ensued. Harlington reappeared one year later to post a smashing allowance/optional claiming score at this same track and 1 1/16-mile trip last May, but he has not raced since. Velazquez will ride the six-year-old, who will face five rivals in the allowance/optional claimer. His chief opponent could be TASTEYVILLE (With Approval), last seen romping in the Sport Page H. (G3) in October, while the improving GREELEY'S LEGACY (Mr. Greeley) and the Wayne Lukas-trained RICHLAND CREEK (Smart Strike) are also worthy of consideration.
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