Angel Smoke tops HBPA Mile

Several fillies who were involved in an eventful running of the Northbound Pride Stakes last year will meet again for the first time since in the $50,000 Minnesota HBPA Mile on the turf.

Third-place finisher Angel Smoke took the worst of it in that contest when she was knocked off stride while appearing to make a winning move in the final stages. She was placed second as a result of the disqualification. Laid off after that race until the Oaklawn meet, Angel Smoke won twice in Hot Springs this spring before shipping to Chicago, where she finished fourth in the Arlington Matron in her most recent appearance. Trainer Mac Robertson has named Derek Bell to ride.

Lemonlime won the Northbound Pride and survived the subsequent inquiry. Given a five-month layoff over the winter, Lemonlime returned with a victory over allowance foes at Tampa in April. Tried next in the Reluctant Guest at Arlington last month, Lemonlime made the pace before being collared in the final stages and finishing second. Trainer Tony Granitz elected to remove the blinkers from Lemonline for Saturday.

Owner-trainer Owen McQuade entered front-running Inhonorofjohnnie. Twice a winner at Tampa this season, Inhonorofjohnnie will be piloted by regular rider Jesse Garcia.

Couple Whiles has won three races at Canterbury. Trainer Bernell Rhone prepped Couple Whiles with a sharp allowance win last month. Dean Butler has the call.