Klesaris looking for repeat effort

Trainer Steve Klesaris, who finished one-two when he shipped in Coastal Solace and Speechifying for the Robellino Stakes on Mayo29, will try to duplicate that feat when he brings back both horses for Saturday night's $75,000 Ligature Stakes at Penn National.

The 1 1/16-mile turf race, restricted to Pennsylvania-bred fillies and mares, drew a full field of 12 and goes as race 3 on a 10-race card that begins at 6:45 p.m. Eastern.

Coastal Solace defeated her coupled stablemate by a length in the off-the-turf Robellino. Coastal Solace, a 4-year-old filly who will be ridden by Anna Napravnik, is far more accomplished on the main track than she is on grass, though she did finish second in her lone turf try in last July's Dear Jane at Penn National.

Speechifying is unproven on turf but did run well in her lone attempt over a synthetic surface last summer at Presque Isle, where she led until deep stretch of the 6 1/2-furlong Mal Rose. Synthetic form often transfers to turf. The 6-year-old Speechifying will be ridden by David Cohen, who is 15 for 37 (41 percent) with the mounts he has accepted at Penn National this season.

Always for Love brings the best recent turf form into the Ligature, with 2 wins and 3 seconds in her last 5 starts on grass. She must overcome post 12, however, a slot that has produced just 1 win from 29 starters in turf routes at Penn National the last two years.

Little Harbor won her turf debut by nearly eight lengths on May 31 at Philadelphia Park, but shows no races or workouts since then.

Mac N Mayo has been consistent on synthetic surfaces, where she is 6 for 12, but has been no better than third in her only two previous tries on turf.

Sure Class showed sharp grass form locally last season, winning back-to-back routes over yielding and firm ground. She returns to two turns and drops into statebred company after two bad efforts sprinting on dirt and turf.