Mary Rita has pedigree for turf

Monday’s $32,000 turf feature at Delaware Park, a second-level allowance for fillies and mares also open to $25,000 claimers, contains several multiple winners on grass, including Cuppy Cake, elevated to first in a $75,000 stakes at Tampa Bay Downs in April, and Ceci N Red, who won at the same distance as Monday’s 7 1/2-furlong race in a similar second-level optional claimer at Gulfstream Park this past spring.

The most intriguing member of the field, however, is Mary Rita, a 3-year-old filly who will be meeting older horses and racing on turf for the first time. Trainer Larry Jones has been trying to get Mary Rita on turf since January, but both races in which she was entered at Fair Grounds were switched to the main track, including a first-level allowance she won in February.

Mary Rita sports a high Tomlinson rating of 323 for turf and her half-brother Chairman Garey is a two-time winner on grass this season.

“Her overall pedigree suggests she could do well on the turf,” Jones said. “She looks good in this spot and in terms of her [pedigree ratings], they are as good, if not better, than most of the competition. We are looking forward to trying her in this spot.”

Race 7

KEY CONTENDERS

Mary Rita (Last 3 Beyers: 66-84-69)

◗ Well-bred filly, whose second dam, Personal Ensign, was undefeated in 13 starts. Her sire, Distorted Humor, wins with 15 percent of his turf starters.

Ceci N Red (Last 3 Beyers: 81-39-62)

◗ Won a similar race at Gulfstream with an 83 Beyer Speed Figure, slightly above par for this class level at Delaware (82).

◗ Formulator Fact: Trainer Patricia Farro is only 1 for 24 with horses making their second start off a layoff on turf after finishing in the money in their comeback race.

Stack the Storm (Last 3 Beyers: 77-75-62)

◗ Finished 1 3/4 lengths behind Cuppy Cake when they met in April at Tampa Bay Downs.

◗ Formulator Fact: Trainer Jonathan Sheppard is 9 for 38 (24 percent) runners returning from a break of 61 to 180 days in a turf allowance between seven and 9 furlongs.

Complete St. (Last 3 Beyers: 78-79-84)

◗ Up close at the stretch call in each of her last three starts, all at longer distances.

Cuppy Cake (Last 3 Beyers: 70-74-71)

◗ Produced 3 wins in 5 turf starts during the winter and early spring at Tampa Bay, but has yet to regain that good form in three starts in the mid-Atlantic region.

Mshomecomingqueen (Last 3 Beyers: 79-77-77)

◗ Missed by a head at this level last time out going longer.

◗ Formulator Fact: Trainer Hamilton Smith is 6 for 29 (21 percent) with a $2.13 return on investsment with grass horses switching from routes to sprints.