Many Kisses on hot streak

MIAMI - Many Kisses, who has dominated the 3-year-old filly division around two turns on turf and dirt since the meet began in late April, figures to be heavily favored to continue her winning ways in Sunday's $55,000 Runaway Marcie Stakes at Calder. The Runaway Marcie will be decided at a mile and 70 yards on the main track.

Many Kisses is perfect in four starts in 2009 over her home course at Calder, winning her maiden on New Year's Day and three straight races since action on the local circuit shifted over from nearby Gulfstream Park during the spring. Many Kisses's streak began with a 1 1/4-length victory against $32,000 claimers on the turf and continued with come-from-behind wins going a mile on the main track in races switched from the turf to the dirt because of inclement weather.

In her most recent performance, Many Kisses overcame a very unlucky trip that began when she was knocked back to last place around the opening turn of the Lulu's Ransom overnight stakes. She recovered to run down pacesetter C Karma despite fanning extremely wide into the stretch to post a well-deserved one-length decision.

"She began her career on turf because I thought the races would be easier for her, but she's probably going to have a better future on the dirt," said trainer David Fawkes, who owns Many Kisses with his assistant Donald Stetler.

Many Kisses will pay the price for winning the Lulu's Ransom by picking up four pounds and toting co-high weight of 121 pounds in the Runaway Marcie, including regular rider Jeffrey Sanchez.

Hopeful Image looms the main danger. She returns from New York, where she defeated older horses under second-level allowance conditions on June 12. A daughter of Gulch, Hopeful Image became graded-stakes-placed earlier this spring by finishing a distant third behind Justwhistledixie in the Grade 2 Bonnie Miss at Gulfstream. Trainer Gerald Procino has secured the services of leading rider Manoel Cruz on Sunday.

Renda finished fourth behind Many Kisses as the 9-5 favorite in the Lulu's Ransom and remains winless since dominating the Brave Raj here last September. Renda also was graded-stakes-placed this winter at Gulfstream Park, finishing a fast-closing second behind Frolic's Dream in the Grade 2 Forward Gal.