Fair Grounds: Starship Duchess goes for third straight

NEW ORLEANS – Starship Duchess will seek her third straight win at this meet when she stretches out to about one mile on turf in the featured eighth race here Friday, an optional claimer with a purse of $45,500.

Starship Duchess won a two-turn race going about 7 1/2 furlongs in November, then returned in February, shortened up to about 5 1/2 furlongs, and scored another daylight win.

To prevail, though, she will have to hold off several formidable contenders, including Masquerade, who has improved significantly since moving to turf and to the barn of trainer Michael Stidham. She was fourth in the Bayou Handicap last time out.

Stidham also sends out Every Way, second in a stakes at Sam Houston last time out but a winner of her only start on this course.

Also in good current form is Hot Tempo, who is being wheeled back just 13 days after a win against a slightly softer allowance field.