Blip n' Th Bye ‘ready to rock' in Sunday allowance

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – As the weather turns frosty, trainer Al Stall Jr. is yearning for his native New Orleans. But with work and family obligations in Louisville at least through the end of the Churchill Downs fall meet, Nov. 27, Stall will have to suffer through wearing long pants to train horses in the mornings.

“I like to be where my clothes suit me,” said Stall, who prefers shorts, given a choice.

While stuck here, Stall will be making the most of it. His best horses remain stabled at Churchill, whereas a few Louisiana-breds already have been dispatched to Fair Grounds for a meet that runs Nov. 19 to April 2. One of those still at Churchill is a 3-year-old filly named Blip n’ Th Bye, perhaps the top contender in the lone allowance on a 10-race Sunday card that starts at 1 p.m. Eastern.

“She’s got a real ‘racehorse’ attitude, maybe one of the best I’ve been around in some time,” Stall said. “She took ill last spring and we had to give her time, but she’s come back extremely well. She’s ready to rock.”

Blip n’ Th Bye, bred and owned by Beau Lane, will have Florent Geroux aboard Sunday in her first start in more than six months. She breaks from post 5 in the ninth race, a $63,000 second-level allowance at 6 1/2 furlongs that attracted a field of eight fillies and mares. Open Arms, Ilussion Artist, Blast, and Northern Connect also are likely to draw their share of wagering action.

After Sunday, Churchill goes dark for two days before another five-day race week begins Wednesday.

KEY CONTENDERS

Blip n’ Th Bye, by Tale of Ekati

(Last 3 Beyers: 82-77-74)

◗ Winner of an ungraded stakes at Evangeline Downs in April, she was no match for the highly accomplished Carina Mia in the Grade 2 Eight Belles on Kentucky Oaks Day but finished second at 20-1.

Open Arms, by Super Saver

(Last 3 Beyers: 82-66-67)

◗ A rare first-time winner for trainer Ian Wilkes in June, she knocked out her first allowance condition with a 4 1/4-length romp last month at Keeneland.

Illussion Artist, by Drosselmeyer

(Last 2 Beyers: 82-78)

◗ Brad Cox-trained filly will put a 2-for-2 record on the line after passing her first stern test by winning a first-level Keeneland allowance last month.

Blast, by Harlan’s Holiday

(Last 3 Beyers: 0-61-79)

◗ Eddie Kenneally essentially starts over with a filly who won an allowance here in June but was eased in her last race.

Northern Connect, by Northern Afleet

(Last 3 Beyers: 71-73-74)

◗ Steady as they come, this stretch-running mare would be a top candidate to capitalize late if the pace gets too hot.