On Fire Baby rested for Locust Grove
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – On Fire Baby wasn’t exactly on the Greta Garbo plan, but her connections definitely were low-key and private in the weeks following a puzzling defeat in the Fleur de Lis Handicap here.
A full 12 weeks following that fifth-place finish in the June 14 Fleur de Lis, On Fire Baby will be back in action at her home track of Churchill Downs when she faces six other fillies and mares Saturday in the $100,000 Locust Grove.
“She came out of her last race with some problems,” trainer Gary Hartlage told Churchill publicity this week. “It wasn’t leg problems or anything; she just had some ulcers that were bothering her. We got everything cleared up, and all systems are go for Saturday.”
Bred and owned by Anita Cauley, On Fire Baby will have Joe Johnson back aboard when she breaks from post 3 in the 1 1/16-mile Locust Grove, a traditional spring event moved last year to the new September meet. The 5-year-old gray mare is a multiple Grade 1 winner and has earned almost $1.1 million from 16 career starts.
Post time for the 31st Locust Grove, the eighth of 11 races, is 4:24 p.m. Eastern.
KEY CONTENDERS
On Fire Baby (Last 3 Beyers: 80-94-98)
◗ After Hartlage “took it nice and slow with her” in the Fleur de Lis aftermath, she assumed a regular work schedule in mid-July and shows a series of five breezes in preparation for this.
◗ Her two Grade 1 scores (2013 Apple Blossom and 2014 La Troienne) and her three career stakes wins at Churchill simply scream out for major respect.
Molly Morgan (Last 3 Beyers: 90-87-97)
◗ Trainer Dale Romans has been pleased with her progress as a 5-year-old, as she broke through with a four-length upset in the Fleur de Lis before trying Grade 1 company and finishing fifth in the Delaware Handicap.
◗ She then followed up with a gritty triumph as an odds-on choice at Ellis Park on Aug. 9 in the Grade 3 Gardenia.
Don’t Tell Sophia (Last 3 Beyers: 93-93-92)
◗ Steady mare has been plagued by minor ailments but has been working regularly over the Churchill surface.
“We’re excited about having her back,” said trainer and co-owner Phil Sims. “She’s really come around the last month or so. This is no easy spot, but the mare is all class.”
