Game Time Decision brings steady excellence to Princess of Palms

PHOENIX – The New Mexico invader Game Time Decision looks like the one to beat in Saturday’s $30,000 Princess of Palms at Turf Paradise. The 6 1/2-furlong event for fillies and mares drew a field of nine, including defending champ B C Z Middleton.

Owned by the Teed Off Stable and trained by Justin Evans, Game Time Decision has done little wrong in her career, finishing in the trifecta in nine of her 10 starts. The only time she missed came in the Grade 3 Winning Colors on May 27 at Churchill Downs. After finishing sixth in that race, she got four months off and came back to easily win an allowance sprint Sept. 16 at Albuquerque.

B C Z Middleton, owned by William Burns and Rebecca Turcott and trained by Jeff Metz, won the Princess of Palms last year off two good Northern California efforts. She then ran second in the Phoenix here to graded stakes winner Constellation in her final start of 2016. B C Z Middleton won an allowance race here Feb. 27, and in spring went to Emerald Downs, where her best efforts were a second in the Hastings in May and a victory in the King County in August. This is her first start since then.

Fight to Glory, owned by Charles Garvey and trained by Robertino Diodoro, whipped maidens by 8 3/4 lengths here last November. She hasn’t raced since dominating in two starts at Canterbury Downs during summer.

PRINCESS OF PALMS (Race 8)

KEY CONTENDERS

Game Time Decision, by Put It Back

(Last 3 Beyers: 69-79-71)

◗ Chased Finley’sluckycharm in the Winning Colors, and that filly goes to the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint next month as one of the favorites.

◗ Makes her first start here but has won on three different tracks.

B C Z Middleton, by Nobiz Like Shobiz

(Last 3 Beyers: 63-62-53)

◗ Has speed but isn’t speed crazy, having won this race from just off the pace a year ago. Her King County win last time out also came with a stalking trip.

◗ Races for the first time in more than two months, and the last time she came off a layoff she won.

Fight to Glory, by American Lion

(Last 3 Beyers: 73-73-65)

◗ Put in two sharp recent works here.

◗ Keeps rider Andrew Ramgeet, who was up for her wins at Canterbury and is off to a 5-for-15 start at the meet.