Classy Corinthian should handle either surface well

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Pat Dupuy has been maximizing his opportunities. The veteran trainer typically trains just a horse or two at a time, but mostly because of a couple of promising 3-year-old fillies named I’m a Looker and Classy Corinthian, Dupuy has won at a nifty 29 percent rate (7 for his last 24) since September.

Having seen both through their first allowance condition in their most recent starts, Dupuy has entered them for Glenmare Farm as a stable coupling against five other 3-year-old fillies in the $54,000 feature Friday at Churchill Downs – although Classy Corinthian, favorably drawn in the far-outside post, likely will be his only starter. I’m a Looker was scheduled to be entered back in an overnight stakes Saturday at Indiana Grand.

In just three starts, Classy Corinthian already has shown an ability to handle turf or dirt, so regardless of whether the five-furlong race is run as scheduled on turf or is forced to the main track by weather, she figures to take some beating with Robby Albarado riding.

After periodic rain through much of this week, the Friday forecast calls for a 60 percent chance of more rain and a high of 87.

First post Friday is 12:45 p.m. Eastern, with the nominal feature set for 1:43. One other allowance (race 8, 4:18) is carded later in the afternoon.

KEY CONTENDERS

Classy Corinthian (Last 3 Beyers: 76-61-59)

◗ The far-outside post can afford Albarado options, as a couple of her opponents might match strides with her to the turn as the field spreads itself out. From there, she’ll have to keep moving to fend off closers such as Paige and Pretty Perfection.

Paige (Last 3 Beyers: 80-61-68)

◗ Layoff is the most obvious question surrounding a filly who already has black type after closing late to finish third at 64-1 in the Grade 1 Alcibiades in her most recent start nearly eight months ago. If the race stays on turf, well, there’s that, too, since all four of her prior starts came over dirt.

Super Saks (Last 3 Beyers: 43-69-74)

◗ This hard-used filly will be making her seventh start of the year for Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas, who tries shortening her up after having watched her repeatedly fade in longer races. All but one of her six starts this year have been in stakes.

Pretty Perfection (Last 3 Beyers: 80-68-49)

◗ This filly, who suddenly came to hand over the winter in New Orleans, validated her February maiden victory with a nice effort in a main-track allowance here May 10 when finishing third after contesting all the pace.