Cassatt's stakes tune-up a romp

Jockey Kerwin Clark barely moved on the 3-year-old filly Cassatt as she dictated the pace and pulled away to a 5 3/4-length romp in the Tiffany Lass Stakes last Sunday. Trainer Larry Jones had chosen that $50,000 race as a tune-up for the $400,000 Houston Ladies Classic.

“It was kind of what we were hoping for,” Jones said. “It turned out perfect for us. It shouldn’t empty her out.”

Jones said Cassatt might work twice before racing Jan. 24 at Sam Houston.

** Grand Contender’s front-running victory Dec. 19 in the Buddy Diliberto, which was switched from turf to dirt, was his fifth stakes win and eighth victory overall in 18 starts since owner Maggi Moss claimed him as a 4-year-old for $20,000 in August 2012 at Saratoga. Seven of those wins in 14 starts came for trainer Tom Amoss.

“He ran to his old form,” Amoss said. “His best is when he’s on the lead. His heart gets big out there.”

** Trainer Neil Pessin said Eden Prairie, who led all the way in the Blushing K. D. Stakes on Dec. 18, will run next in the Marie Krantz on Jan. 17.