Filly trio takes on Mr. Meso
EAST BOSTON, Mass. - Eight Massachusetts-bred 3-year-old colts and fillies run Saturday in the $35,000 Great Mystery Stakes at Suffolk Downs.
The top male in the field figures to be Mr. Meso, back after five months of rest. Mr. Meso surprised many last fall by winning the DeSpirito Stakes - the top open juvenile race in New England. Mr. Meso, trained by Lori Lockhart, won against open company to begin his 3-year-old season, but he was beaten in the Collegian Stakes in January. His two most recent workouts have been bullets.
While Mr. Meso has been on the sidelines, the fillies in the field have been racing. The filly trio of Jill's Layup, Glory Be Good, and Princess Attitude has never been daunted racing against males.
Jill's Layup was entered in the race despite nagging foot problems that have caused concern for owner and trainer Ed Stone.
"I really don't think she's going to make the race," said Stone. "My exercise girl says she's going to win, but I just don't feel that confident. Even if we do make the race, I'm very concerned about Princess Attitude."
Stone's concerns are valid, even though Jill's Layup and Glory Be Good have beaten Princess Attitude before. Princess Attitude has won two of her last three starts.
Glory Be Good recovered from an eighth-place run in the Helena Stakes around two turns to finish second in an allowance sprint last month for trainer Michelle Nydam. Her 2003 high point came in winning the Mystery Jet Stakes in March.
New faces in Saturday's field include King Tritan, who makes just his second career start after finishing sixth in his debut last summer at Rockingham Park. He will get a first dose of Lasix from trainer John Rigattieri.
Angel by Day, who, like Mr. Meso, is trained by Lockhart, will make just his third career start and first since January. Because of different ownership, he will not be coupled with Mr. Meso in the win-wagering-only race.
The Great Mystery will be race 5 on the 14-race program. Local hopefuls for the June 21 Moseley Handicap will be in action in the 13th race, a $22,000 allowance. Post time for the first is noon.