Fiesta keeping the party on the grass

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Chris Hartman gave Fiesta a chance on the turf and liked what he saw. Three weeks later, Fiesta looks like the filly to beat in a first-level allowance that serves as the feature of a nine-race Friday card at Churchill Downs.

Fiesta, with Julien Leparoux back to ride, is one of 10 fillies and mares in the eighth of nine Friday races, a $51,000 first-level allowance at five furlongs on the turf.

Fiesta had trouble at the start and rallied from sixth place to be beaten less than a length when fourth for this same condition May 12 in her turf debut. Two others in this field are exiting that race – Tizahandful (third) and Precious Love (seventh).

“She showed me she likes the turf and the distance, and it was good to see her run from that position,” Hartman said.

“The way she ran first time on the grass, she ought to win with a better break this time.”

Hartman, 44, entered this week at Churchill winning at a 20 percent rate (58 for 290) on the Kentucky circuit since he and his family moved here a little more than two years ago from the Southwest, where in 1993 at Prescott Downs in Arizona he won his first race.

“We’re enjoying it here,” he said.

One other allowance (race 2) is on the program, which starts at 12:45 p.m. Eastern. A $53,000 second-level race at 6 1/2 furlongs, it drew only five 3-year-old fillies, which helps to explain its early placement. Promises Broken and Let It Ride Mom are the likely favorites.

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KEY CONTENDERS (race 8)

Fiesta, by Speightstown

Last 3 Beyers: 73-70-63

◗ Bay 3-year-old earned a career-high Beyer in that last start after romping in a $50,000 maiden claimer at Oaklawn in her fifth career out.

Tizahandful, by Tiz Wonderful

Last 3 Beyers: 74-68-71

◗ She actually finished a neck ahead of Fiesta in the May 12 free-for-all when outrunning her 11-1 odds for trainer Neil Pessin and jockey Brian Hernandez Jr., who combine with her again Friday.

Jet Away Sue, by Quality Road

Last 3 Beyers: 76-57-55

◗ Turf is the unknown for a speedy 3-year-old filly, who has met some classy types during a six-race career for trainer Randy Morse.

I’m Betty G, by Into Mischief

Last 3 Beyers: 69-33-39

◗ Her last race, two weeks ago at Indiana Grand, was her first start for trainer Mike Maker and first on turf. It resulted in easily her career-best effort.

Jokasa, by City Zip

Last 3 Beyers: 61-68-69

◗ Five-year-old mare has the most starts (18) and biggest bankroll ($104,453) in the field, but is 0 for 10 over turf.