Lemon Zip facing tougher company in turf marathon

ELMONT, N.Y. – Trainer Niall Saville will be on a fact-finding mission of sorts Friday at Belmont Park when he ships in the 5-year-old mare Lemon Zip for a second-level allowance race at 1 3/8 miles over the inner turf course.

Though he claimed Lemon Zip for $12,500 a year ago, Saville is hopeful that Lemon Zip could be a stakes-caliber filly, at least going a marathon distance. First, though, she must pass this allowance test at 11 furlongs.

“I’d like to see if I can get some black type for her and her owner,” said Saville, who is based at the Fair Hill Training Center in Maryland. “I want to go through her allowance conditions first and see where I fit.”

In March, Lemon Zip won a starter handicap going 1 3/8 miles against females at Tampa Bay Downs. Three weeks ago, Lemon Zip beat males by 4 1/2 lengths going 1 1/2 miles at Pimlico.

“She didn’t beat much, but you couldn’t have asked her to do it any better,” Saville said. “She’s quite a nice filly, she’s classy, nicely bred, and we think she’s turned the corner. We’re quite hopeful.”

Lemon Zip’s last two wins have come since Saville added blinkers to her equipment. Saville believes they’ve helped Lemon Zip relax and focus.

There doesn’t appear to be a lot of pace in Friday’s race. Lemon Zip has been within two lengths of the early lead in both of her last two starts. Saville said he wouldn’t want to see her in front early Friday.

“That would be a concern if there’s nothing else to go,” Saville said. “I wouldn’t want to see her going alone in front.”

Jose Ortiz rides Lemon Zip from post 6 in what figures to be a seven-horse field once Free Kitty, entered main track only, scratches.

As with virtually every female turf race in New York, trainer Chad Brown has the horse to beat in Pollara. A Group 3 winner in France a year ago, Pollara finished sixth in the Grade 1 E.P. Taylor at Woodbine last October and eighth in the Grade 3 Long Island at Aqueduct in November. This will be her first start in seven months.

Violet Blue, Romantic Moment, Proud O’Paddy, War Canoe, and Layla Noor complete the field.

KEY CONTENDERS

Lemon Zip, by Ghostzapper

Last 3 Beyers: 80-76-58

◗ Has won two straight since being stretched out in distance and having blinkers added.

◗ Saville said he’d prefer to run this filly on firm turf.

Pollara, by Camelot

Last 2 Beyers: 83-95

◗ This is probably the easiest field she’s ever been in, having raced in group or graded stakes the last three times she’s been out.

◗ Brown is typically solid bringing turf fillies back off lengthy layoffs.

◗ Could be hindered by a lack of pace.

Layla Noor, by Midnight Lute

Last 3 Beyers: 81-75-74

◗ Chased a slow pace and faded when finishing fifth in the Searching Stakes going 1 1/2 miles at Pimlico, her first start off a 10-month layoff.

◗ Her lone win on turf did come when she raced up close to the pace at Saratoga in the summer of 2017.