Indiana Downs: Crown Ambassador, Indiana Stallion attract big fields

Indiana-sired 2-year-olds take center stage Wednesday with a pair of six-furlong, $85,000 stakes at Indiana Downs. My Crafty Friend tries to remain perfect in the Crown Ambassador for either sex, while Express Model heads a field of 12 in the Indiana Stallion for fillies.

My Crafty Friend, trained by Scott Mullins, won his only start, which came going 5 1/2 furlongs Aug. 24 at Arlington Park. He earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 71, a full 32 points higher than any of his Wednesday competitors have earned. There is plenty of speed in the 12-horse Crown Ambassador, and the question will be if My Crafty Friend can stretch his speed out to six furlongs. Luis Contreras will ship in to ride.

Lookout Cat also will be looking to stay unbeaten in two starts in the Crown Ambassador. Lookout Cat won by nearly five lengths here Aug. 24, also going 5 1/2 furlongs. Trained by Ron Brown, Lookout Cat earned a Beyer of 38. Perry Ouzts will ride again.

Jenry won at first asking July 29 going five furlongs locally. In his other start, he broke in the air and then came running late for fourth in a six-furlong open optional-claiming event here Sept. 4. Trained by Julee Barrios, Jenry will be ridden by Rodney Prescott.

In the Indiana Stallion, Express Model ships here for a second time from Churchill Downs for trainer Bernie Flint. Express Model finished 20 lengths back in sixth in a field of eight in her June 6 debut at Churchill Downs. She came here July 24 and won by nearly five lengths going five furlongs as the odds-on favorite. Leandro Goncalves retains the mount.

Trainer Larry Holt sends out the coupling of Mabeewin and Aziperform in the Indiana Stallion. In her only start, Mabeewin came from far back to win by 4 1/2 lengths here Aug. 9 going five furlongs. Perry Ouzts retains the mount. Aziperform is a maiden but gets the riding services of leading rider Malcom Franklin.

Naked Bootleg also is a maiden but was probably best here Sept. 10 in her second and most recent start. She was checked repeatedly under Lori Wydick in the six-furlong race and rallied for second.