Mazza filly makes jump into stakes

OCEANPORT, N.J. - Family ties run deep for trainer John Mazza with Lisa's Rainbow.

A 2-year-old filly, Lisa's Rainbow is the first foal from Bright Rainbow, who Mazza campaigned with success in New Jersey-bred races and in open company.

Lisa's Rainbow looks ready to carry on the family tradition. She won her first start, getting up in the final jump to capture a New Jersey-bred maiden special weight.

"She acts like she has some talent," Mazza said. "She showed a lot of class in the morning, but I didn't think she'd catch the speed horse that day. That showed she can run a little bit."

Lisa's Rainbow will have to run a bit more in Sunday's $45,000 Foward Gal Stakes at six furlongs at Monmouth as she steps into open company to face winners for the first time.

The stakes spot was not in Mazza's game plan, but the chance to catch a light field on the home track was enticing.

"I'd love to get her some black type," Mazza said. "Even hitting the board would be wonderful for her and the mare."

Dale Beckner has the return call to ride.

The race came up deeper than expected, as Lisa's Rainbow will face seven rivals, including Fashion Girl, who will be equipped with blinkers for the first time by trainer D. Wayne Lukas.

This would be the third visit of the meet for Fashion Gal, who is based with the Lukas division at Belmont Park. She won the Colleen Stakes on a disqualification and ran fourth in the Grade 3 Sorority. Leading rider Joe Bravo will be aboard.

Baba Gonzo returns to Monmouth for the Foward Gal following a successful trip to Ohio. She captured the Miss Ohio at Thistledown, a race restricted to statebreds, to win her maiden.

Before that, she ran fifth in the Colleen.

Todd Pletcher targeted the Foward Gal for Amazer. She shipped to Monmouth following a second-place finish in a Saratoga allowance race and has had two acclimating workouts over the track.

Smokey Glacken, Lady Beelzebub, Grand Cap D, and Fragrance complete the field.

The Foward Gal is the only stakes on Monmouth's Sunday card, as the $50,000 City Zip, slated at six furlongs for 3-year-olds, did not fill.

The City Zip was hurt by the New Jersey Thoroughbred Festival on Saturday, which showcased an all-New Jersey-bred card. Two of the best 3-year-old sprinters at the meet, Gators N Bears and Something Smith, wound up in the Friendly Lover stakes on festival day.