Matchmaker

A contentious field of 10 has been entered in Sunday's Matchmaker S. (G3) at

Monmouth Park and the 1 1/8-mile turf test looks to be a good betting race. With

that in mind, we'll go with CLASSIC STAMP (Regal Classic) to take home top

honors at 10-1 on the morning line.

Making her second start for trainer Darwin Banach in this spot, the

five-year-old mare faced some tough competition last season, taking the Canadian

H. (Can-G2) prior to a close third-place finish in the E. P. Taylor S. (Can-G1).

In her most recent start, the five-year-old was just a length back in second in

the Dance Smartly H. (Can-G3), where she earned a 109 BRIS Late Pace rating for

rallying from last to challenge in the stretch. She'll be making only her second

start outside of Canada on Sunday, but held her own in her previous try in the

Cardinal H. (G3), running a good fifth, at Churchill Downs. Classic Stamp and

Richard Dos Ramos could end up in the winner's circle at the end of this one.

CAT ALERT (Tabasco Cat) is a consistent sort, running first or second in her

past nine starts. Her most recent race, an optional claimer at Belmont Park,

resulted in a runner-up performance while she was making her first start for

trainer Joseph Orseno. Prior to that, the bay five-year-old captured an

allowance at Keeneland by an easy 10 1/4 lengths while recording a 106 BRIS

Speed rating. If she runs anywhere near that performance, Cat Alert will add yet

another win to her resume. Chris DeCarlo has the call.

SPOTLIGHT (GB) (Dr Fong) started off her U.S. career in style, taking an

allowance before annexing the Lake Placid H. (G2) while earning competitive

numbers. Her next two weren't quite on the same level, but the Christophe

Clement trainee seems to be rounding back into form after a close neck third in

the Eatontown H. (G3) last out. The four-year-old chestnut will have Jerry

Bailey in the irons and may try to lead this field from gate to wire.

EMERALD EARRINGS (Helmsman) has been competing quite successfully on the dirt

for her past six starts but, before that, also did well on the green. The one

point against her is that she seems to prefer less distance than nine furlongs,

but could still make her presence felt in the top three. HUMORISTIC (Sefapiano)

ran just a length back in second in the All Along Breeders' Cup S. (G3) last out

but only earned an 88 Speed rating for her effort. Nonetheless, the bay

four-year-old has always had a nice turn of hoof rallying into the stretch and may

pick off enough of her rivals to earn a share. Consider for the exotics. NOBLE

STELLA (Ger) (Monsun) owns the numbers to get the job done but is an

inconsistent sort who either wins or finished far back. Your call.

SMART N CLASSY (Smart Strike) doesn't own quite the same numbers as others in

here, but the versatile bay mare could still take home a check. Much has been

expected of BRIVIESCA (GB) (Peintre Celebre) since she shipped to the United

States last fall, but the Bill Mott trainee has never quite been able to deliver

and is still looking for her first win stateside. We don't think she'll get it

here. TOPIARY (Arch) may not be fast enough to challenge in this spot. LOVE

MATCH (Partner's Hero) looks out of her class.