Delta Downs: Ten sprinters in Genesis

They could be called confirmed sprinters. Most of the 10 fillies in the inaugural running of the $40,000 Genesis Stakes at Delta Downs in Vinton, La., are turning back in distance to five furlongs at a time when a number of their peers are starting to experiment with more ground.

As a whole, the field is experienced, the Genesis starters having had an average of five races. Some have already been tested around two turns, while others have tried longer sprints and turf. In the end, however, each has done her best running at six furlongs or less, which makes them all seem well suited to the distance of the Genesis.

Hadif's Allstar and Valid Pulpit should vie for favoritism. Each has two wins, which is more than most of their rivals. Hadif's Allstar took the $40,000 Rebel at Louisiana Downs in March, and Valid Pulpit the $54,000 Princess Handicap last out at Sunland Park.

Hadif's Allstar shortens up from seven furlongs for the Genesis. In her last start she was overtaken in the late stages and finished third in the $50,000 Bara Lass for Texas-breds at Sam Houston Race Park on Nov. 16. Before that race, she was caught late and ran second in the $30,000 Delta Miss, which was run over 6 1/2 furlongs at Louisiana Downs on Sept. 29.

Valid Pulpit, whose two wins have come at six furlongs, was flattered last week when Miss Trixie, runner-up in the Princess, came back to win a conditioned allowance at Sunland. Guy Smith rides Valid Pulpit, who is out of a full sister to Grade 3 winners Valid Expectations and Little Sister.

Another to watch is Pawsie's Princess, who won her last two starts. She is trained by Doris Hebert, who is winning at a 39 percent clip at Delta.