Litfin's preview: High-priced Pletcher fillies

Sunday, Aug. 3, preview

TAKE YOUR PICK FROM PLETCHER FILLIES

Leading trainer Todd Pletcher unveils a pair of $300,000 purchases in Sunday’s opener, a maiden special weight sprint for 2-year-old fillies that kicks off the 10-race card at 1 p.m. Eastern.

Kinsley, a daughter of Pulpit and a half-sister to two minor winners, hammered for that amount at the Fasig-Tipton yearling sale last August. Feathered went for better than four times the stud fee of sire Indian Charlie at the Ocala Breeders’ Sales Co. March auction after working an eighth of a mile in 10 seconds flat.

Among the seven entered, the only one with experience is Richie’s Trix, who flashed speed from the rail under a double-bug apprentice rider when unveiled on Arlington Park’s Polytrack surface by trainer and part-owner Wesley Ward.

FLAT JACK TAKES ON PLETCHER DUO

Flat Jack, who earned a 90 Beyer Speed Figure when beaten in a photo first time in blinkers, cuts back a furlong for Tom Albertrani in race 3, a maiden special for 3-year-olds at six panels.

Flat Jack breaks from post 4, just inside the uncoupled Pletcher-trained duo of March Too and Marsh Creek, who are drawn on the outside in the six-horse field.

March Too is a half-brother to Endorsement, whose $650,000 in earnings included two Grade 3 stakes victories. Marsh Creek, by 2006 Travers winner Bernardini, has been training at Monmouth Park in preparation for his debut.

FAMILIAR FOES MEET IN ALLOWANCE

Lubash and Kharafa, who have been knocking heads in the New York-bred turf division’s marquee races for the past few seasons, are slated to square off yet again in race 4, an $85,000 allowance race that serves as a prep race for the West Point Stakes on Saratoga Showcase Day, Aug. 24.

As usual, they are tough to separate. Lubash, the 2012 West Point winner, has posted Beyers of 98-97-99 in three starts at age 7. Kharafa, who led to deep stretch when third in last year’s West Point, has put up figures of 98-99-98 in three New York starts at age 5, including a one-length decision over Lubash in the Kingston Stakes.

MOTION HOLDS STRONG HAND IN WAYA

Graham Motion, who sent out two winners on Saturday’s program, sends out two contenders in the Waya Stakes: Concise and Inimitable Romanee.

Concise, who finished willingly and was placed second in the Robert G. Dick Memorial last time out, will stretch out to 1 1/2 miles for the first time.

Inimitable Romanee has won three of five starts at 1 3/8 miles and beyond, including the Long Island Handicap and the Bewitch at 12 furlongs.

The Waya drew an overflow field, with Cat’s Claw, Cushion, and Auld Alliance on the also-eligible list and Lady Cohiba entered for dirt only. In the event of a surface switch, the Waya would shift to 1 3/16 miles on the main track.

HORSE TO WATCH

GREELEY PACK
Trainer: Kathleen Feron
Last race: Aug. 1, 7th
Finish: 3rd by 5
Beyer: 66
He was bumped at the start and in traffic approaching upper stretch, altered course, and finished willingly first time back from a two-month layoff.