Martini Glass auditions for Delaware Oaks in Our Mims
Trainer Keith Nations thought he had found a 3-year-old filly who might prove useful running on turf when he claimed first-time starter Martini Glass for $16,000 in February at Tampa Bay Downs. After three wins in three starts – all on dirt – Nations still wants to try Martini Glass on grass.
But for the moment, he’s content to see if she’s good enough to win a small stakes on dirt and perhaps earn a shot at Delaware Park’s richest race for 3-year-old fillies.
Martini Glass faces the toughest field of her fledgling career in Wednesday’s $50,000 Our Mims Stakes at Delaware Park. The mile-and-70-yard race serves as the local prep for the Grade 3 Delaware Oaks on July 9.
“Turf was the angle we used when we claimed her,” Nations said. “Her sire, Kitalpha, has produced quite a few turf winners, and her dam, Glassy, also won on the turf, so the big reason why we took her was to try her on the grass. We just have not gotten the opportunity to try her on the turf because those races were taken off. Even if she runs well in this stakes, I certainly still want to try her on the turf.”
After winning her career debut by 2 1/4 lengths going seven furlongs, Martini Glass won back-to-back optional-claiming routes that were shifted from turf to the main track while improving her Beyer Speed Figures from 48 to 69 to 75.
A good performance in the Our Mims could propel Martini Glass to the Delaware Oaks.
“Her numbers have improved with each start, and if she keeps improving, we would absolutely have to consider running her in the Delaware Oaks,” Nations said. “When you claim a horse for $16,000, you really do not expect her to be running in stake races, but ... these things do happen occasionally, so why not think big?”
Her competition in the Our Mims, named in honor of the last 3-year-old filly to win the Delaware Handicap in 1977, includes Miss Inclusive, the winner of the $101,000 Parx Oaks last time out; Dark Nile, 2 for 2 going two turns; and the Shug McGaughey-trained Browse, who is a half-length shy of being 3 for 3 in her career.
Our Mims, Race 8
KEY CONTENDERS
Miss Inclusive, by Include
Last 3 Beyers: 81-63-64
◗ She has had a month to recover from her career-best performance in the Parx Oaks. Trainer John Servis, who won the 2014 Our Mims with Joint Return, has five wins and four seconds from the last 12 horses he has run in dirt-route stakes at Delaware Park.
Martini Glass, by Kitalpha
Last 3 Beyers: 75-69-48
◗ Has moved forward in each of her last two starts but probably needs to do so again to defeat this group.
Dark Nile, by Pioneer of the Nile
Last 3 Beyers: 77-66-68
◗ Has been a dominant winner in her two starts going long for high-percentage trainer Arnaud Delacour, and top rider Joe Bravo comes in from New Jersey to ride this filly for the first time.
Browse, by Medaglia d’Oro
Last 3 Beyers: 77-78-77
◗ Tries two turns for the first time. Note that Shug McGaughey is 0 for 7 with horses he has shipped to Delaware for dirt routes.