Fair Point, Miss Ella to battle again in License Fee Stakes

ELMONT, N.Y. – Maybe one yard combined separated Fair Point and Miss Ella when the two fillies traded decisions in two turf-sprint stakes last year. They will renew their budding rivalry Sunday in the $150,000 License Fee Stakes, scheduled for six furlongs over the turf at Belmont Park.

Fair Point ran down Miss Ella to beat her a short head in the $100,000 Smart N Fancy Stakes at Saratoga last summer. Miss Ella returned the favor when she got the jump on a slow-starting Fair Point to beat her a neck in the Grade 3 Franklin County at Keeneland in October.

While trainer Graham Motion put Miss Ella on the sidelines following the Franklin County, trainer Shug McGaughey shipped Fair Point across the country to win the Grade 3 Sen. Ken Maddy Stakes on Breeders’ Cup Saturday at Santa Anita.

Fair Point, a 5-year-old daughter of Smart Strike, has three wins and two seconds from five starts on turf. In addition to her neck loss to Miss Ella at Keeneland, her other loss came by 2 1/4 lengths to Roca Rojo in an allowance race at Belmont last summer. Roca Rojo went on to win the Grade 3 Athenia and was beaten a nose in the Grade 1 Matriarch.

McGaughey said Fair Point wintered “really well,” first at Niall Brennan’s farm in Ocala, Fla., and then at Payson Park in south Florida.

“She put on a lot of weight, filled out a lot,” McGaughey said. “This is just a steppingstone to get started.”

Jose Ortiz rides Fair Point from post 4.

Motion said he thought about sending Miss Ella to Keeneland for the Giant’s Causeway Stakes at 5 1/2 furlongs two weeks ago but opted to wait for this spot.

“I think maybe three-quarters suits her a little better; she knows the turf course,” Motion said. “I’m happy with her. She’s doing really well.”

Summer Reading, Hip Hop N Jazz, Quality Rocks, and Portmagee complete the field. Malibu Princess was entered to run only if the race is transferred to the main track.

KEY CONTENDERS

Miss Ella, by Exchange Rate
Last 3 Beyers: 94-93-93

◗ Has had a steady string of strong works at Fair Hill in the last six months for a trainer who last weekend won three turf stakes with horses coming off extended layoffs.

◗ Had to alter course in the stretch of the Smart N Fancy when beaten a head by Fair Point last summer at Saratoga.

Fair Point, by Smart Strike
Last 3 Beyers: 94-93-94

◗ Her lone loss in three turf starts last spring and summer came when she broke slowly and had to follow Miss Ella, who beat her a head in the Franklin County.

◗ May be compromised here if the pace isn’t swift.

“She doesn’t have to get too far out of it,” McGaughey said.

Portmagee, by Hard Spun
Last 3 Beyers: 86-78-70

◗ Steps up from an allowance victory at Gulfstream.

◗ Did win her lone start at Belmont last summer and could project as the primary speed under Irad Ortiz Jr.