Blessed Lady takes on new challenges in Pike Place Dancer

Multiplayer is the one to beat in Saturday’s $75,000 Pike Place Dancer at Golden Gate Fields. But longtime breeder-owners Larry and Marianne Williams have two runners who could have something to say about the outcome of the one-mile turf race for 2-year-old fillies – Blessed Lady and Seaside Song.

Blessed Lady has won both of her starts, both sprints. She won going 5 1/2 furlongs on dirt at Santa Rosa in her debut, and at six furlongs in an optional claimer on the Tapeta at Golden Gate.

“That’s sprinting,” trainer Steve Specht said. “This is two turns and turf.”

Specht said he doesn’t think the distance or surface of the Pike Place Dancer will be a problem for Blessed Lady, given that she’s a half-sister to Lady Railrider, who won multiple stakes, including one on turf.

Seaside Song is stepping up substantially off a five-length score going a mile in a maiden $25,000 claimer on the Tapeta at Golden Gate six weeks ago.

“She’s won at a mile, she’s fresh, and she’s trained well,” said trainer Jack Steiner, explaining why he decided to take a shot in the stakes with Seaside Song.

Multiplayer is the most experienced filly in the field of nine. She’s run three times, each time at one mile on the turf.

She won her debut in August at Del Mar, ran third in Del Mar Juvenile Fillies Turf in her second start, and was seventh, beaten four lengths, in the Surfer Girl on Oct. 9 at Santa Anita. She has improved her Beyer in each race.

For everyone other than Multiplayer and Cash Cannon, who won a one-mile maiden claimer on turf in her only start, either two turns or turf will be something new.

$75,000 Pike Place Dancer (race 7)

Key Contenders

Blessed Lady, by Lucky Pulpit

Beyers: 70-60

◗ Has worked several times since she last raced seven weeks ago, including at a mile and at six furlongs.

◗ She has been comfortable coming from off the pace, which may help her get the distance.

◗ Three of her four siblings have won on turf.

Multiplayer, by Giant’s Causeway

Beyers: 65-58-56

◗ She raced near the back of the pack in her last two races, but showed tactical speed in her debut win.

◗ Does her best running in the lane.

Neon Gypsy, by Square Eddie

Beyer: 63

◗ She won her only start, a six-furlong maiden special weight seven weeks ago on the Tapeta at Golden Gate.

◗ She has three six-furlong works in preparation for the stretch to a mile.

◗ Her three siblings are a combined 0 for 3 on turf.