Creative Miss shortens up

NEW ORLEANS - Creative Miss is a winner of multiple Michigan-bred stakes at Great Lakes Downs, but because of a provision at Fair Grounds that doesn't count statebred races against eligibility in open-company races, she is eligible for a third-level grass allowance sprint Sunday at Fair Grounds.

Creative Miss, 5, has amassed $286,262 in earnings with 7 wins in 15 starts.

Owner Todd Wetton sent Creative Miss to Rebecca Maker's barn for the Fair Grounds meet.

"The owners are from Michigan," said Maker. "I grew up there and they followed my name because of that. They wanted to send the horse south rather than stop on her, so they sent her to me."

Creative Miss ran seventh in her only start of the meet. She handled the Fair Grounds grass course well, though, making the pace to the top of the stretch before tiring in the 1 1/16-mile race. In Sunday's race at about 5 1/2 furlongs, Maker is looking for a better pace scenario.

"She's a nice filly, a real steady runner," said Maker. "She's got some speed, but that day they just kind of outsprinted her to the wire. She tried to stay with them but she couldn't. I'm hoping with the 5 1/2 furlongs she can put herself in a better position."

Comalagold, a winner of nine races, also benefits from the statebred provision. A 7-year-old daughter of Royal Empire, Comalagold is a solid performer on both grass and dirt and has won a race over the track.

Several other runners in this well-matched field have to be considered. Burletta, one of several recent claims by leading trainer Tom Amoss that have gone on to excel in allowance company, has won two straight and will be tough if she can translate her good dirt form to the grass. Pimentinha has spent all but one race of her career on the grass and is cutting back in distance off a pair of turf route tries over the course.

Merry Mary, a 6-year-old Leestown mare, is the leading money winner on turf in the field with $137,675. She is making her first start since October, but has run well after a layoff in the past. Bewitching Miss, a 5-year-old by the Irish stallion Sword Dance, won a grass sprint impressively over the course back in December, then contested a very fast pace before quitting in the Leggio Memorial last month. She fits well in this field. Shawklit's Sopo has two wins in five starts on turf.