Ever So Clever heads talented cast for Martha Washington

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Oaklawn Park is sitting on a competitive group of 3-year-old fillies at this meet, judging by the depth of the field for the $125,000 Martha Washington on Saturday. The race that starts the march to the Grade 3, $400,000 Fantasy drew stakes winners Chanel’s Legacy, Lovely Bernadette, and Perfect Wife as well as Ever So Clever, who placed in a pair of Grade 2 stakes last year at Churchill Downs.

The Martha Washington is a one-mile race that will end at the sixteenth pole. Others making up the nine-horse field include Torrent, a local allowance winner who was second to Perfect Wife in the $100,000 Trapeze at Remington Park, and Benner Island, the runner-up in the Arlington-Washington Lassie who will be adding Lasix.

Martha Washington, Race 8

KEY CONTENDERS

Ever So Clever, by Medaglia d’Oro

Last 3 Beyers: 70-70-67

◗ She has stepped up her game since moving to two turns, having finished second by a half-length in the Grade 2 Pocahontas at 1 1/16 miles on Sept. 17. Ever So Clever then won a Keeneland allowance at the same distance Oct. 19 and finished third at the trip in her last start Nov. 26, when facing Farrell in the Grade 2 Golden Rod. Farrell has come back to win the Silverbulletday Stakes at Fair Grounds, while Ever So Clever has been working toward the Martha Washington.

“I think it’s a good spot for her to come back,” said Steve Asmussen, who trains Ever So Clever for Clearview Stable. “She’s a very good filly. She’s a quality filly.”

◗ Asmussen said a concern is the distance of the Martha Washington.

“A mile‘s going to be a touch short for her,” he said.

◗ Ricardo Santana Jr. has the mount from post 8.

Chanel’s Legacy, by Dominus

Last 3 Beyers: 70-61-68

◗ She is already a stakes winner at the meet, having accounted for the $125,000 Dixie Belle over six furlongs Jan. 21. Chanel’s Legacy will be seeking to win at two turns for the first time and has developed mentally since her route debut in November, when she finished fourth in the Grade 3, $400,000 Delta Downs Princess.

“I think the older she’s gotten, she’s matured out a lot more,” said trainer Lynn Chleborad. “Her mind is getting focused on racing.

“The two turns, we’re going to find out. I’m hoping she will relax enough to stretch out against good fillies.”

◗ Chleborad said Chanel’s Legacy, who rallied from off the pace in the Dixie Belle, came out of the race “bouncing.”

◗ Alex Birzer has the mount from post 4 for Poindexter Thoroughbreds.