Molly Pitcher BC J

ROUND POND (Awesome Again) will make her much awaited return while facing five foes

in the $300,000 Molly Pitcher Breeders' Cup H. (G2) at Monmouth Park on Sunday.

The talented four-year-old hasn't been seen on the track since gamely taking the

Azeri Breeders' Cup S. (G3), and is now conditioned by Michael Matz after being

trained by John Servis for the initial eight starts of her career. The lass has

proven to be a top-class performer throughout her career and has picked a

sensible spot to return following the five-month layoff, so we'll side with the

likely favorite. Top local rider Joe Bravo will pilot the bay.

FRIEL'S FOR REAL (Sword Dance [Ire]) put in one of her most impressive races

to date when cruising home an easy 5 1/2-length winner of the Lady's Secret S.

over this surface last out. The Edward Allard charge sports a nifty 16-8-1-4

mark at this distance and is perfect from two starts at Monmouth, leading us to

believe she's a strong contender in this affair. Expect a stalk-and-pounce trip

beneath Eddie Castro for the six-year-old.

Defending champ CAPESIDE LADY (Cape Town) is the likely pacesetter in here

and could be a huge threat with her best. The bay mare has shown an affinity for

this oval, evidenced by her 6-4-1-0 local mark, and could be tough to run down

if allowed to dictate the early stages of the race. We'll include the

five-year-old, who'll be guided by Shaun Bridgmohan, in all of our multiple race

exotics.

LA REASON (Labeeb [GB]) is a one-run closer who'll need some pace help to

challenge for the top prize, but we're not certain that the six-year-old will

get ample fractions to set up her late burst. Trained by Todd Pletcher, the bay

ran a deceptively good race in the recent Delaware H. (G2) behind current star Fleet Indian (Indian Charlie) and should appreciate the cut-back in distance. We'll include this mare in the gimmicks, but prefer her use in

the lower rungs. Chris DeCarlo will ride.

PROMENADE GIRL (Carson City) has done most of her damage in Maryland and

steps up to the toughest field she's seen in recent starts. Conditioned by Larry

Murray, the four-year-old does her best running in the latter stages as well and

could also be at the mercy of the pace in this contest, but should

benefit some from the advantageous rail draw. With a solid 13-7-1-3 lifetime

mark, we'd be foolish not to consider her an exotics threat. Jeremy Rose has riding duties aboard the miss.

LEXI STAR (Crypto Star) has displayed a good deal of talent in her career but

must face her strongest group to date for trainer Christopher Grove. The

Maryland-bred dark bay is making just her second start since January of this

year and could be a touch short when the group turns for home. We would not be

overwhelmed if the filly found a spot in the top three, although we'd prefer to

watch this one and tab her for later on down the road. C.C. Lopez has the

riding assignment.