Churchill Distaff Turf Mile: Scratches remove some pace pressure
RACE REPLAY IS NOT AVAILABLE
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Friday's running of the Grade 3 Modesty Stakes on the new Churchill Downs turf course will have plenty to say about Saturday's Grade 2, $500,000 Churchill Distaff Turf Mile.
Bleecker Street won the Modesty, her third straight graded stakes score, to remain unbeaten. Lady Speightspeare, who has tangled with her this year, already figured as one of the top entrants in the Distaff Mile and was further flattered by Friday's race.
Lady Speightspeare was second to Bleecker Street, beaten 1 1/2 lengths, in the Grade 3 Endeavour Stakes in February and fourth in the Grade 2 Hillsborough Stakes in March, both at Tampa Bay. Lady Speightspeare emerged from that Florida campaign to finish a rallying third after a poor break in the Grade 1 Jenny Wiley Stakes four weeks ago at Keeneland.
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Lady Speightspeare prefers to race on or near the lead and will have company in that regard Saturday from In Italian, winner of the Grade 3 Honey Fox Stakes last time out. But the two did lose a potential pace foe to early scratches.
Multiple stakes winner She Can't Sing and Mona Stella, a restricted stakes winner in Florida last time out, were both cross-entered this weekend, and both opted to run in the Friday’s Modesty. Mona Stella set the pace in that race before ultimately fading to finish ninth. Removing her from the equation here removes some of the pace pressure.
After the scratches of She Can't Sing and Mona Stella, the field for the Distaff Mile, which kicks off Saturday's stakes action as the fifth race, is down to six. The turf course starts the day listed as firm, despite overnight rains and cool temperatures.