Forward Gal J

AMERICAN GRADED STAKES

PREVIEWS

Seven sophomore fillies will go seven furlongs over Gulfstream's main oval in

the $150,000 Forward Gal S. (G2) on Saturday. MELISSA JO (Fusaichi Pegasus) was

a good second in her 2008 debut in the Old Hat S. (G2) for Jimmy Jerkens, and we

expect further improvement and a win from the chestnut. Third in the Demoiselle

S. (G2) in her 2007 finale, the Kentucky-bred had no chance with the winner last

out but endured some trouble turning for home and should move up with a cleaner

trip. Kent Desormeaux will guide the miss.

KEEP THE PEACE (Touch Gold) has been untested in two career starts and

appears to be the speed of the field for Eddie Kenneally. The chestnut miss

debuted with a facile 4 1/2-length win at Churchill in November and returned

this season with a sharp, seven-length tally over this oval in advance of this

affair. The New York-bred filly earned a 101 BRIS Speed figure in her latest

score and would be tough to upend with a similar effort beneath Edgar Prado.

BSHARPSONATA (Pulpit) has been extremely impressive in dominating the Selima S. and Tropical Parks Oaks on the green in her last pair for Timmy Salzman, and the bay is another win candidate in this heat. A 2 1/2-length scorer

in her dirt debut last summer, the improving Florida-bred smashed her foes in

the Irish Sonnet S. on the dirt four back and should be just off the early pace

under Eric Camacho.

MORAKAMI (Fusaichi Pegasus) was a fast-closing second in a competitive

allowance race locally last out for George Arnold, and the dark bay is another

exotics threat in here. The Kentucky-bred miss was a smart winner in her debut

at Saratoga and failed to crack through in her three subsequent graded events

but fits well with this group. The filly is drawn on the outside under Javier Castellano.

COZY MESA (Sky Mesa) was a non-factor in the Old Hat but could crash the

exotics party with a repeat of her allowance score at Churchill Downs two back.

The D. Wayne Lukas filly could improve in her second start over this strip under

the guidance of Cornelio Velasquez.

SENSATIONAL LOVE (War Chant) was a clear turf allowance winner last out for

Allen Jerkens and must prove her affinity for the main surface to challenge in

here. The improving bay does her best running late, so she could earn a check if

a swift duel ensues in the early going.

CAPE COD LADY (Yonaguska) adds blinkers for this start but will need a big

step up to factor with this talented group.