Expect short price on Sapphire Kitten in Lacombe Memorial

A Florida invader came to Fair Grounds and won the Joseph “Spanky” Broussard Stakes for 3-year-old turf-route fillies Feb. 5, and a Florida invader probably is going to win the Allen “Black Cat” Lacombe Memorial Stakes for 3-year-old turf-route fillies on Saturday at Fair Grounds. Same division, same 7 1/2-furlong distance – but different horse.

Last month, it was the Ronny Werner-trained Pancake stealing away to an easy lead to score a mild 7-1 upset in the Broussard. Pancake is back for the Lacombe, too, but she’s not likely to get an easy lead, and this time, she has to deal with Sapphire Kitten.

Sapphire Kitten has shipped from the Palm Meadows training center in south Florida for the Lacombe. She’s 5-2 on the morning line to win this $50,000 stakes but probably will be an odds-on favorite. Sapphire Kitten has held her own at far higher class levels than any of the other 13 Lacombe entrants, finishing a close fourth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf last fall, and she had no luck when a close fourth of 12 while making her 3-year-old debut Jan. 30 in the Grade 3 Sweetest Chant at Gulfstream.

“She had a horrible trip last time,” said Joe Sharp, who trains Sapphire Kitten for Ken and Sarah Ramsey.

Sapphire Kitten drew post 5 and will be ridden by Brian Hernandez Jr. The field is capped at 13 runners because 7 1/2-furlong races start so near the first turn, and Above Fashion is an also-eligible.

Lacombe Memorial, Race 9

KEY CONTENDERS

Sapphire Kitten, by Kitten’s Joy

Last 3 Beyers: 74-73-82

◗ Her trouble in the Sweetest Chant began with close to a half-mile left. Trapped down along the rail in the third flight of runners, Sapphire Kitten was hemmed in by one horse after another. Even when she finally escaped from the fence in the final furlong, her path was blocked by the top three finishers, and she never really got to run.

◗ She has only a maiden win to her credit, but in addition to her troubled-trip fourth in the BC Juvenile Fillies, she came within a neck of the talented Harmonize in the Grade 3 Jessamine Stakes and has run in huge fields packed with high-class fillies throughout her career.

“We’re just trying to get her a stakes win right now,” said Sharp. “She’s run against some tough horses.”

◗ Has a strong finish but is not a deep-closing type, a plus in this big field.

“She’s tactical enough,” said Sharp.

Princess Erindelle , by Divine Park

Last 3 Beyers: 68-60-67

◗ Was 13th early in the slow-paced Broussard but passed nearly everyone in the final half-mile. She might have pace to stick closer to the leaders.

Inconclusive, by Include

Last 3 Beyers: 68-71-62

◗ Another filly who rallied late into the slow Broussard pace. She can run better than that but almost certainly needs a longer distance than this to show her best.