Amarth could get perfect trip in speed-filled allowance
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The large amount of speed in the field, including from a few fillies cutting back slightly in distance, will make a $134,000 allowance/optional-claiming race for fillies and mares on Sunday a competitive affair – and will perhaps lead to a good trip for Amarth, the lone sophomore in the field.
The one-turn mile is a second-level race for fillies and mares with an $80,000 claiming option. Sudden Switch, who has won two of her three starts, is a narrow morning-line choice over Grade 1-placed Impel. Sudden Switch is cutting back after leading and giving way going 1 1/8 miles in her most recent outing.
Impel’s morning-line odds are a reflection of her back class. Last year, she was third in the Grade 1 Ashland in just her third career start, then second in the Grade 2 Eight Belles. She went on to finish a close third in the Grade 3 Indiana Oaks and was second in the Cathryn Sophia. Off an extended winter break, she has finished fourth and fifth in a pair of allowance/optional-claiming races this year and will need to refind her prior zip.
Foreseen and Desert Rhapsody also should be forwardly placed. Foreseen is cutting back off a pair of solid nine-furlong allowance efforts locally. She was caught late on May 11 and held on for a win June 5. Desert Rhapsody has won twice going a mile at Del Mar.
Amarth carries less weight as 3-year-old. She is dropping in class from several consecutive stakes efforts. Amarth finished second to Drexel Hill – eventual runner-up in the Kentucky Oaks – in the Busher Invitational, then was fifth in both the Grade 1 Ashland and Grade 2 Black-Eyed Susan. In her two wins last fall, she sat just off the pace. She is ideally drawn to do so again from the outside post in this six-horse field.
The Sunday allowance is the third leg of the jackpot Pick 6. Entering Friday’s card, the carryover stood at $854,231.