Indian Brava tries to rebound in Smith Handicap

Indian Brava will try to rebound from the worst performance of her career when she runs in the $50,000 R.K. (Red) Smith Handicap on Friday night at Northlands Park. The one-mile race drew five horses, including Eustacia, who is coming off a 5 1/4-length romp in the $50,000 Chariot Chaser on May 22.

Indian Brava was sent off as a prohibitive 1-5 favorite in the Chariot Chaser but never got involved in the race. Trained by Robertino Diodoro, Indian Brava looked like she would be a standout in the six-furlong sprint. She won her first two starts at Oaklawn Park and then finished third behind Promise Me Silver in the $100,000 Instant Racing. Promise Me Silver returned to win the Grade 3 Eight Belles on May 1 at Churchill Downs.

Diodoro is expecting an improved performance from Indian Brava on Friday.

“I think you’ll see the real Indian Brava show up,” said Diodoro. “She came back with a lot of mucus and apparently was fighting the cold that swept through my barn at Northlands. That just wasn’t her.”

Indian Brava drew post 4, with Rico Walcott retaining the mount.

Trainer Greg Tracy likes the way Eustacia is coming up to the Red Smith. She broke on top and never looked back while cruising to an easy win over Quality Lane in the Chariot Chaser. It was her third stakes win, plus she is proven at the distance, with a front-running win in the Freedom of the City in her last start as a 2-year-old.

“I know Indian Brava is a nice filly,” said Tracy. “But Eustacia is sound, training well, and seems to have matured over the winter.”

Scott Williams retains the mount. He likely will put Eustacia on the lead if she breaks alertly from post 2.

:: Bet the Smith Handicap with DRF Bets. Get up to a $500 cash bonus! Find out more today.

KEY CONTENDERS

Indian Brava (Last 3 Beyers: 22-70-83)

◗ Her races at Oaklawn make her the one to beat.

◗ This will be her first route attempt, and she is the first foal out of a stakes-winning mare who was strictly a sprinter. Nonetheless, she should get plenty of stamina from her sire, Bernardini, who won going 1 1/4 miles in the Grade 1 Travers and Grade 1 Jockey Club Gold Cup.

Eustacia (Last 3 Beyers: 78-50-41)

◗ The one to catch, she was very impressive in winning the Chariot Chaser while coming off a six-week layoff.

DRF FORMULATOR FACT: Over the past five years at Northlands, Tracy has a 31 percent strike rate with horses making their second start following a layoff.