Indiana Downs: Pass the Crown, Facey's Spirit face statebreds in pair of stakes

Indiana-sired horses take center stage Wednesday evening at Indiana Downs with a pair of $85,000 stakes – the Shelby County for fillies and mares and the William Henry Harrison for colts and geldings, both run at six furlongs.

Pass the Crown faces statebred company for the first time this year and will be looking for his first win since 2011 in the William Henry Harrison. Trained by Merrill Roberts, Pass the Crown has a pair of seconds in as many outings this year, both locally.

On April 23, Pass the Crown was beaten a length in an optional claimer going six furlongs. In his most recent start May 10, he was beaten 1 3/4 lengths going five furlongs in an optional claimer that came off the turf and was run over a sloppy main track. Both races were against open company.

Pass the Crown finished second in the 2012 William Henry Harrison, beaten a nose. Chris Landeros will ride him for the first time.

The venerable Unreachable Star begins his 2013 campaign in the William Henry Harrison, just as he did in 2012, when he finished third, beaten a half-length. The 9-year-old gelding loves the Indiana Downs surface, having won four of seven starts on the main track, with no finishes out of the money.

Trained by Tim Glyshaw, Unreachable Star has won seven of 15 lifetime starts going six furlongs and boasts the field’s highest Beyer Speed Figure at the distance with an 83, two points better than the 81 posted by Pass the Crown two starts ago. Marlon St. Julien retains the mount.

Alley Bar could pull off the upset in the field of 11 after winning his maiden race May 21 by 6 3/4 lengths. Trained by Chaz Walker, Alley Bar earned a 74 Beyer, and the 3-year-old gelding could improve off that effort. Alley Bar gets in at 109 pounds, 7 to 14 pounds fewer than his older rivals. Ramon Rechy retains the mount.

Facey’s Spirit will attempt to wire her seven rival fillies and mares in the Shelby County. Facey’s Spirit led to upper stretch in her only start of 2013 before tiring to finish fourth in the local, open allowance event April 30. Trained by Chris Dorris, the 5-year-old mare won three of seven starts last season and has won three of six over the Indiana Downs strip.

Facey’s Spirit, who won this event last year, signaled her readiness with a bullet work May 21. Patrick Johnson retains the mount.

Aint She a Saint finished second to Facey’s Spirit in the Shelby County in 2012 and will attempt to turn the tables Wednesday. Trained by Jeff Greenhill, Aint She a Saint was named Indiana’s horse of the year in 2012 by the state’s Thoroughbred owners’ and breeders’ association. The filly won four of 11 starts as a 3-year-old last season, including a score in the $230,000 Frances Slocum in October.

Aint She a Saint had a bullet workout from the gate May 24 at Turfway Park, the best of four five-furlong breezes that day. Malcolm Franklin retains the mount.

Rounding out the field are Sheza Cozy Gal, Indy Pie, Racey Gracey, Lovely Leeann, and the coupled entry of Ms. Smitty and Waki Mistress.