Frisky Spider goes on grass in Restoration

OCEANPORT, N.J. - Frisky Spider was in a lively mood Wednesday morning at Monmouth Park. He zipped three furlongs on the turf in 34.60 seconds in preparation for the $60,000 Restoration Stakes for 3-year-olds at one mile on the grass on Saturday.

"He's been training very well," said trainer Bob Durso, who has been looking forward to getting Frisky Spider on turf. "He really took to the grass in his last two workouts."

The son of Durso's star runner Frisk Me Now almost made his grass debut on the opening day of the meet. The Gilded Time Stakes was slated for five furlongs on the grass but was moved to the main track, and Frisky Spider closed with a strong burst to get third.

It will be interesting to see how the colt handles the surface change and the longer distance.

Frisky Spider has a record of 4-0-1 in five main-track races up to seven furlongs. The 3-year-old missed the board only twice, and those were a pair of very tough route assignments - the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth Stakes and the Grade 1 Florida Derby.

The Restoration is one of four stakes on the Monmouth schedule this weekend.

The $65,000 West Long Branch Stakes for fillies and mares at six furlongs is also slated for Saturday.

The Sunday card features a pair of $60,000 stakes: the Politely for fillies and mares at 1 1/16 miles on the turf, and the $60,000 Lincroft for New Jersey-breds at one mile.

Paisley Park back on main track

Trainer Joe Pierce hopes the return to dirt gets Paisley Park back in winning form in Monmouth's feature race Friday, a $43,000 allowance for fillies and mares at 1 1/16 miles.

Paisley Park's last two outings were poor, as the 4-year-old filly caught softened turf courses and did not respond well. She finished last in a $70,000 claimer at Belmont Park and seventh in an allowance at Monmouth.

"She runs hard," said Pierce. "The last couple of races disappointed me, but she was on soft turf both times. I don't think she extends herself on it. She'll run much better on a firm course."

Now she'll get a chance back on dirt. Paisley Park has run well over the Monmouth strip, the site of three of her five career wins.

"We'll make the switch and see what happens," Pierce said.

Paisley Park will have Alan Garcia aboard for the first time. Her opponents in the field are Fircroft, Secretively, Picnic Theme, Treasure's Dream, Tazotee, and Katie Kreitz.