Indiana-breds in spotlight in two sprint stakes

Older Indiana&#45;bred horses get a chance to strut their stuff Wednesday in the 20th running of the Merrillville Stakes for ladies and the 18th running of the Brickyard Stakes for males at Indiana Grand Race Course. Each race covers six furlongs and is worth $85,000. Ten will contest the Merrillville, and 12, plus two also&#45;eligibles, were entered in the Brickyard.Merrillville Stakes (Race 6)KEY CONTENDERSAint She a Saint (Last 3 Beyers: 36&#45;74&#45;62)◗ This race looks to set up exactly like the Shelby County two races ago, when she won by a neck. There is an abundance of speed in this race, and she should be flying late. Her stablemate, In a Jif, should duel early, and if that one cannot hold on, Aint She a Saint looks to pick up the pieces.◗ Trained by Jeff Greenhill, Aint She a Saint was the 2&#45;year&#45;old Indiana champion filly in 2011.◗ She will be ridden by Malcolm Franklin. That trainer/jockey combo has won at 31 percent this year.In A Jif (Last 3 Beyers: 79&#45;81&#45;66)◗ Has blazing early speed and will be on or very near the lead early.◗ Also trained by Greenhill, she has won 3 of 5 this year.◗ Gets a jockey change to Albin Jimenez. That trainer/jockey combo has won at 28 percent over the past two years.Higher Logic (Last 3 Beyers: 54&#45;64&#45;73)◗ Just missed in the Shelby County, finishing second to Aint She a Saint by a neck. The one concern is that she is winless over the past two years.Yeardley (Last 3 Beyers: 45&#45;84&#45;78)◗ The 84 Beyer earned two back going six furlongs in an open optional allowance race locally is one of the highest earned this year by any entrant.◗ Throw out her last race since it was on turf, and she doesn&rsquo;t seem fond of that surface.Brickyard Stakes (Race 8)KEY CONTENDERSSucess Is Racing (Last 3 Beyers: 82&#45;82&#45;86)◗ Has won 3 of his last 4, all going six furlongs. Has won 6 of 14 locally and 5 of 9 at the distance.Pico Suave (Last 3 Beyers: 81&#45;81&#45;69)◗ Has won two of his last three, including the prep for this race last out.◗ The trainer/jockey combo of Barbara McBride and Malcolm Franklin has won at 29 percent this year.Paddy&rsquo;s Notes (Last 3 Beyers 80&#45;13&#45;82)◗ Finished second in the prep; the 13 Beyer was earned in a turf race, not his favorite surface.