Alex's Allure tougher on turf

BOSSIER CITY, La. - It appears to be official: Alex's Allure's future lies on the grass.

A 3-year-old daughter of Sky Classic, Alex's Allure returned to the Louisiana Downs turf course with a vengeance last Saturday, sweeping to a 10-length win in the Senorita Stakes. The victory was her third in as many starts over the local course, dating back to her maiden win in late May. Following an entry-level allowance score on the grass in her next start, trainer Sam David decided to move her back to the main track for the Lorelei Stakes on June 8. The winning streak came to a screeching halt, as Alex's Allure reported home a disinterested fifth.

"It looked like before we got her, she ran just as well on the dirt," said David. "That's why we tried her in the Lorelei. It looks now that we are going to try and stay on this course as much as we can."

Those plans should be easy to adhere to for David, as two well-timed grass events for 3-year-old fillies remain on the stakes calendar. They are the 1 1/16-mile $50,000 Lyrique Handicap on

Sept. 3 and the $75,000 Marie DeBartolo Oaks, part of the Super Derby program on Oct. 1.

Another turf lover

Friday's optional-claiming headliner will feature another who is undefeated over the turf course here, Charming Kid. A son of Lemon Drop Kid, he delivered as the favorite in an entry-level allowance here on July 4. That effort was his first after disappointing as the favorite in the $75,000 Grand Prairie Turf Challenge at Lone Star in late April.

In his most recent start, Charming Kid tried the dirt for only the second time in his career. He was unplaced in that nonwinners-of-three allowance race after a troubled start. The return to the grass should go a long way in waking him up. Leading rider John Jacinto retains the mount for trainer Wes Hawley.

Pevny will attempt to continue his rapid development on the grass for trainer Joe Duhon. The winner of a conditioned claimer two starts back at Lone Star, Pevny just missed in allowance company over the same course in his most recent trip postward. A bullet five-furlong work between starts indicates Pevny, a son of More Than Ready, is still on edge. Jeff Burningham has the call.