Modesty J

AMERICAN

GRADED STAKES PREVIEWS

Eleven fillies and mares will have a showdown Saturday in the $150,000

Modesty H. (G3) at Arlington Park, traditionally a nominal prep for the track's

centerpiece filly and mare turf event, the Beverly D S. (G1), which will be held

on August 9. Though a competitive affair, it is unlikely to generate a serious

Beverly D prospect, but basking in the limelight this day seems well within the

scope of BALLYMORE LADY (War Chant), an exceptionally consistent turf performer

since her importation from France in early 2007.

In six turf races in America, Ballymore Lady has finished third or better

each time and has never finished more than 2 1/2 lengths behind the winner.

Contrast that with her non-turf form, where she finished fifth over both

Polytrack and dirt during that same span. The one chink in her armor is her

relative inexperience in stakes company. She only recently graduated from the

allowance ranks with her third such triumph on April 29, but she stepped up to

the next level in fine fashion on June 14 with a clear runner-up effort behind

champion Dreaming of Anna (Rahy) in the Mint Julep H. (G3). She will have an

additional furlong to work with here, stretching out to 1 3/16 miles, and won't

have anyone of the class of Dreaming of Anna to worry about.

An intriguing up-and-comer, LEMON CHIFFON (Lemon Drop Kid), would be no

surprise in this spot. Despite having raced only four times, her BRIS Speed

ratings are on par with what others have earned and what would be required to

win this race. She accomplished a first-level allowance victory at Hollywood two

back in relatively fast time, and fell one length short last out in the Redondo

Beach S. going a mile. The additional ground should prove beneficial for this

mare, who has two Belmont S. (G1) winner in her immediate family and who likes

to do her best running from far back.

KISS WITH A TWIST (Lemon Drop Kid) was a 26-1 outsider in the Mint Julep but

did well enough to finish third despite a wide trip. She will need to elevate

her game to improve on that placing, but has been a generally consistent grass

specialist. CIAO (Lear Fan) would be rated higher if not for her tendency to get

in trouble during her races, whether it be a slow start, wide trip or fighting

with her rider early on. She also seems a bit partial to the Churchill Downs

turf and hasn't quite run to her best in two prior efforts over this sod.

BARBETTE (High Yield), winner of the Possibly Perfect S. here last out, need

not have to improve a whole lot to get a slice of the purse. It helps that this

edition of the Modesty did not attract rock-ribbed graded stakes types, and her

fondness for the course won't hurt her. COMMUNIQUE (Smart Strike) seems like an

underlay as the 3-1 morning line choice. Though she won the Bewitch S. (G3) two

back, she had struggled beforehand to win against allowance company on turf and

perhaps just outstayed her opponents in what was a soft renewal of that that 1

1/2-mile Keeneland fixture. Fearing a short price, we'll side elsewhere.

Longshot possibilities if going deep in the exotics include QUIET QUEEN (Real

Quiet) and DEMISEMIQUAVER (GB) (Singspiel [Ire]). The former has quietly

compiled a fine 6-3-0-1 turf mark, but the ex-claimer has never faced a field

this good before and might very well regress on the class hike. Demisemiquaver

was fourth in the Reluctant Guest S. two back and two lengths second to Barbette

in the Possibly Perfect, but like others she will need continue her progression.

ROYAL LEAH (Royal Academy), an Illinois-bred stakes winner, is superior to ON

SAFARI (Lion Cavern) and LABAR (Bianconi), but none of the three could be

considered to have a legitimate chance to place.