Mighty Nice making stakes debut in $50,000 Petticoat

Mighty Nice will be returning to the distance of her maiden win Saturday when she makes her stakes debut in the $50,000 Petticoat at the Downs at Albuquerque. The six-furlong race for 3-year-old fillies has drawn horses who last raced in Arizona, Iowa, and New Mexico.

Mighty Nice is in from Ruidoso Downs, where she finished third in a conditioned allowance over 5 1/2 furlongs June 4. Earlier in her career, she won a $30,000 maiden claiming race at Oaklawn over the distance of the Petticoat. Mighty Nice wired the field in that February race, and has the speed to hold her position from the rail Saturday. Jorge Bourdieu has the mount for trainer Cliff Lambert.

Old Fashioned Girl last raced at Sunland Park, where she finished fourth to quality winner Kell Paso in the $65,000 El Paso Times on Jan. 29. Before that start, Old Fashioned Girl won a maiden special weight and an entry-level allowance, both at Zia Park. She has natural speed, and will break just outside of Mighty Nice, from post 2.

Merlin’s Jewel, who comes off an allowance win at SunRay Park, is the type of horse who can take advantage if a duel develops among Mighty Nice, Old Fashioned Girl, Three Diamonds, and Whenbetterthannow. She rallied from off the pace to win the conditioned allowance by 4 1/4 lengths May 29.

Three Diamonds was fifth in the $67,000 Goldfinch in April at Prairie Meadows, while Fly Lady Fly was a maiden winner in October at Turf Paradise.