Cowans has strong pair in Cincinnatian Stakes

Both horses whom trainer Doug Cowans plans to run in Sunday’s $75,000 Cincinnatian Stakes at Belterra Park figure prominently in the 1 1/16-mile turf route for Ohio-accredited 3-year-old fillies.

Ebby, a two-time stakes winner, boasts the best overall credentials and fastest Beyer Speed Figures but has little turf pedigree and is unproven racing beyond six furlongs. Her uncoupled stablemate, Kerfluffle, wheels back just nine days after she was all out to narrowly prevail in a one-mile turf race for maidens.

Beyond the logical pair from Cowans, the viable options are Mom Genes, the runner-up to Kerfluffle on July 1, and Pretty Gritty, a last-out maiden winner sprinting on dirt who was a decent third racing a mile on Tapeta last September at Presque Isle Downs.

Cincinnatian, Race 7

KEY CONTENDERS

Ebby, by Mercer Mill

Last 3 Beyers: 48-55-45

◗ She’s the fastest filly, but who knows whether her form will transfer to turf? Her dam, Pyrite Captain, has produced foals who are a collective 4 for 51 in turf routes, and her sire has yet to have a 3-year-old turf winner from five starters.

Kerfluffle, by Mr. Silver

Last 2 Beyers: 40-26

◗ Her sire also produced Blazing Charcoal, who won the 2015 Horizon on turf for Cowans and owners and breeders Craig and Cathy Beam of Thorobeam Farm.

Mom Genes, by Kentucky Dane

Last 3 Beyers: 39-32-25

◗ Ran the best race of her eight-race career when she tried turf and a route for the first time. She has the best turf bloodlines in the field. She’s by Kentucky Dane, a son of the great Danehill, who produced 89 Grade 1 or Group 1 stakes winners. He was the leading sire in Australia nine times, the leading sire in Britain and Ireland three times, and the leading sire in France twice.

Pretty Gritty, by Mercer Mill

Last 3 Beyers: 39-0-0

Her owner and trainer, Michael Evans II, is just 1 for 15 with turf runners, but that victory came in May with 20-1 Red Raven, who like Pretty Gritty was coming off a win on dirt. Synthetic form often transfers to turf, and she earned a 39 Beyer going a mile at Presque Isle against open maiden special weight company.