Churchill Distaff Turf Mile J

AMERICAN

GRADED STAKES PREVIEWS

The most lightly-raced of the 11 fillies and mares entered in Saturday's

$200,000 Churchill Distaff Turf Mile (G2), TIZAQUEENA (Tiznow), is our selection

to prevail in the one-mile contest. The once-beaten four-year-old is taking a

step up in class here, but we see no monsters in this field.

A promising sophomore in early 2008 following an authoritative maiden win and

a solid second in the Tiffany Lass S., the Mike Stidham-trained lass

unfortunately missed most of the rest of the year due to infirmities. She

returned to take a dirt allowance on December 19, then was switched to the grass

where she passed her second allowance condition and then took down the Fortin H.

In both instances, Tizaqueena went wire-to-wire over the Fair Grounds lawn, a

traditionally difficult thing to do. The fractions she set were so slow,

however, that it would be no surprise to see her revert to stalking tactics in

this one.

VISIT (GB) (Oasis Dream [GB]) has promised a lot but has so far failed to

deliver in four U.S. appearances. Fourth in the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf

(G1) and third in the Matriarch S. (G1) last fall, she can be forgiven her flop

in the Santa Maria H. (G1) on Pro-Ride, but she really had no excuse when

falling to relatively weaker company as the odds-on choice in the Santa Ana H.

(G2) last time. We'll try to beat this underlaid contender.

BALLYMORE LADY (War Chant) has a decent 4-2-1-0 mark over the Churchill green, and

broke through two races back with her first graded score in the Endeavour S.

(G3) at Tampa Bay Downs. She did not have the cleanest of trips when tracking a

tepid pace in the Hillsborough S. (G3) last time, but can fare better. The

likelihood of soft ground, however, probably hurts her chances for the win.

California invaders LEMON CHIFFON (Lemon Drop Kid) and SUGAR MINT (Ire) (High

Chaparral [Ire]) are improving sorts, and of the two we think the former has the

stronger closing kick to make an impact late. Another left-coaster, DAWN AFTER

DAWN (Successful Appeal), has won four of seven on grass and took a restricted

stakes at this distance two back.

ELUSIVE LADY (Van Nistelrooy) has been the bridesmaid in three of her four

grass appearances, but we have concerns that wet ground will hinder her

front-running style. Another who might show speed, ZEE ZEE (Exchange Rate), won

the Edgewood S. over this course a year ago, but hasn't exactly distinguished

herself when facing listed foes since then.

RASIERRA (Kafwain) has picked a somewhat ambitious spot to make her turf

debut. STEALIN' KISSES (Sky Mesa) and RUSTIC FLAME (Ire) (Danehill Dancer) are

both eligible for second-level allowances.