Perfect Step on Sunday will face four of the same rivals she whipped three weeks ago at Gulfstream Park by being entered right back for $25,000. Off that convincing score, she figures as a solid favorite in the Sunday feature, a $44,000 turf sprint open to first-level allowance runners and $25,000 claimers.
Way Nifty remains a maiden after two starts and is listed at 12-1 on the track’s morning line. But it would be unwise to toss him from consideration in the $194,672 Rio Grande Senor Futurity for New Mexico-bred colts and geldings on Sunday at Ruidoso Downs.
Three years ago, David Barrett was part owner and Fred Danley was the trainer of a 2-year-old named The Four J’s who came within a head of upsetting the Grade 1 Zia Futurity at 12-1. Barrett and Danley will get another shot at the six-figure Zia Futurity on Sunday, this time with the favored filly Carson City Girl in the 400-yard race for New Mexico-bred 2-year-old Quarter Horses.
Surtsey closed well over a yielding turf course to win the Zadracarta Stakes over seven furlongs in her last start on June 27 at Woodbine, but will be shortening up to six furlongs here for Sunday’s Grade 3 Royal North Stakes.
Jellicle Ball (#3, ML 10-1) makes her North American debut in Friday's ninth race at Saratoga, the Grade 2 Lake George Stakes on turf. Since Jan. 1, 2014, trainer Graham Motion is winning at a 33 percent clip with first-time North American starters, for a return on investment of $4.29. Check out the Positive ROI report as part of DRF Plus. Sign up for DRF Plus here.
McMullen County (#2, ML 8-1) returns in Friday's eighth race at Ellis Park, a 1 1/16-mile allowance on turf. It will be his first start since finishing fifth by seven lengths in an allowance June 13 at Churchill Downs. The sixth- and seventh-place finishers from that race came back to win their next starts. Get the Key Race report as part of DRF Plus. Sign up for DRF Plus here.
Jockey Oriana Rossi underwent seven hours of what was termed successful spinal surgery Thursday at Indiana University Healthcare Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis in the aftermath of a Wednesday spill at Indiana Grand, which also led to less serious injuries to two other jockeys.
BreezeFigs Quick-Pix for Saturday, July 25th by Bob Fierro and Jay Kilgore.
Two years ago George Ducharme was in an enviable position. The trainer had captured the prestigious Hambletonian with Royalty For Life and came to Ducharme’s home track at Vernon Downs to compete and eventually capture the Zweig Memorial. This year Ducharme may be more of an outsider looking in as the trainer sends out longshot Wings Of Royalty.
Doctor Butch is the type of horse that dislikes wearing a blanket, even on the coldest days of winter. A blanket in the winner’s circle, though, is another story.
