Enduring Will seeks reversal

The rematch is on.

More Than Promised and Enduring Will meet Saturday in the $75,000 Pago Hop at the Fair Grounds meet at Louisiana Downs in Bossier City, La. The last time they raced over the Louisiana Downs turf course, a nose separated the pair in the $75,000 DeBartolo Oaks on Oct. 1.

"It was unfortunate one of the fillies got beat," said Steve Asmussen, who trains More Than Promised. "Both ran great races."

More Than Promised won the DeBartolo, and will be looking for her fourth straight win on Saturday. She heads a field of eight 3-year-old fillies in the Pago Hop, which will be run at about 1 1/16 miles on the grass. Others in the race include Beaugeste, Commercialize, Emmy's Storm, and Big Time Cat, all of whom made their last start in Kentucky.

began her winning streak at Arlington Park, with a two-other-than allowance win on turf. From there, she closed with vigor to win the DeBartolo, then shipped to Oklahoma and trounced a competitive group of fillies by 8 1/4 lengths in the $40,000 Remington Park Oaks.

"She's had a big year," said Asmussen, who trains More Than Promised for Vinery Stables.

Luis Quinonez has the mount Saturday.

has not raced since the DeBartolo, her first start in more than six months. She broke from the inside and set the pace in what was a strong effort following a layoff. The performance also opened up new options for the filly, who was making her first start on turf in the DeBartolo.

"We didn't have a spot for her on the dirt that fit her, and her pedigree said grass," said Al Stall Jr., who trains Enduring Will. "We took a chance."

Enduring Will, who is by Arch and out of the Theatrical mare Jodie Faster, established her class last year with a 10-length win in the $100,000 Silver Spur Breeders' Cup at Lone Star Park. This year, she has placed in three stakes, including a runner-up finish in the $100,000 Tiffany Lass and a third-place finish in the Grade 3 Silverbulletday.

Brian Hernandez Jr. has the mount on Enduring Will, who races for her breeder, Michael Rainier.

invades from Churchill Downs, where in her last start she was a close fourth against older rivals in a one-mile optional claiming race on turf Nov. 4. Trainer Bob Holthus has given the mount to Terry Thompson.