Harper's in Charge tries to extend Clement's hot hand

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Trainer Christophe Clement is off to a hot start at the Championship meet, with four of his first eight starters making it back to the winner’s circle. On Thursday he sends out Harper’s in Charge to take on seven other Florida-bred fillies and mares in a $54,000 allowance carded at five furlongs on the turf.

Harper’s in Charge has been freshened since finishing fourth against open allowance company at Belmont Park on Oct. 22, beaten 1 1/2 lengths by winner Stolen Holiday after prompting the pace throughout. Harper’s in Charge earned an 80 Beyer Speed Figure for that effort, matching her previous career high. That number is a dozen points higher than the last-out figure of any other member of the field. To add to the allure, Clement has tabbed the meet’s leading rider, Luis Saez, for the assignment.

The competition is led by War Star and Baby Mo, beaten a neck and a head while finishing second and third behind World Gone Wild in a similar allowance dash here 24 days earlier.

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