Ayoumilove heads deep field in Sandpiper Stakes

OLDSMAR, Fla. – Ayoumilove, winner of the Catcharisingstar Stakes at Calder in August, tops a strong field of 11 juvenile fillies entered for Sunday’s $75,000 Sandpiper Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs. Also Sunday, Jack Price Juvenile winner Manicero heads a group of 11 juvenile males entered in the $75,000 Inaugural. These two stakes highlight a 10-race card solely for 2-year-olds.

Ayoumilove is one of four stakes winners in the Sandpiper. Trained by Jose Pinchin, she will be shooting for her fourth win from seven outings.

Ayoumilove was a troubled sixth in the $75,000 Desert Vixen at Calder over the summer. She made her turf debut in the Catcharisingstar and rallied from just off the pace in that five-furlong turf sprint to post 1 1/2-length win in 57 seconds flat. She was off for six weeks after that race and came back in the Cassidy at Calder. She opened up in midstretch but was run down by Flying Trip and finished second.

It’s Me Mom shoots for her fourth straight win in the Sandpiper. A speedy daughter of Put It Back, she took the Presque Isle Debutante in front-running fashion in September. She has been off for three months but has been training forwardly at Tampa for her return, including a bullet half-mile work in 47 seconds Tuesday, the best of 47 runners who worked that distance.

Her Smile also will be going after her fourth win in a row in the Sandpiper. She has a stalking sytle that should work well in this speed-laden group.

Devilish Lady and Going for More both come into the Sandpiper off back-to-back wins, while Pomeroys Pistol faced some tough company at Monmouth in three outings this summer and comes into this race off a short break.

Manicero will be tough to deny in the Inaugural. After finishing a troubled fourth in his debut in a key maiden race at Calder, Manicero had blinkers added for his second start and pulled away to win the 5 1/2-furlong sprint by more than seven lengths. He came back at seven furlongs in the Jack Price Juvenile and led at every call, winning by more than eight lengths.

Manicero must beat Affluence, who won his first two starts, both in the spring at Delaware Park, including the Par Four Stakes. He then journeyed to Woodbine, where he ran third behind runaway winner Madman Diaries. Off since June, Affluence also has been training well for his return, including a half-mile move in 47 seconds Saturday, the best time of 80 runners who worked that distance that morning.

Uno Caliente took the Birdonthewire in front-running fashion before disappointing in the Jack Price. Magalith beat Manicero in a maiden race and is a late-running type who could get a good stalking trip in a field that has plenty of early speed.