Missap running with the boys in Green Carpet Stakes

The $75,000 Green Carpet Stakes, for Ohio-bred 3-year-olds on the turf Sunday at Belterra Park, provides an opportunity for the nine sophomores in the field to step up. Only three prior stakes winners are in the field, all but one of the entrants are trying turf for the first time, and only one entrant has won beyond a mile.

Missap, a filly taking on the boys, is that lone member of the field coming off a turf start. She finished second, beaten just a half-length by major-upset winner Spinning Top, in the Tomboy Stakes on May 13 at Belterra. The filly, who is trained by Kellyn Gorder for breeder Beckett Racing, distinguished herself last year by winning the John W. Galbreath Memorial Stakes by five lengths on the Best of Ohio showcase program. That race was at the Green Carpet’s 1 1/16-mile distance, although on dirt.

Regular rider Dean Sarvis will be aboard Missap as she breaks from post 4 in the field of nine. The only filly in the field, she owns the best Beyer Speed Figure in the field, with the 74 she earned finishing fourth in an optional claimer against open company at Keeneland this spring.

Charlee’s Magic, Over Icce, and Buster’s Boy made up the trifecta in the Tall Stack Stakes on May 5 at Belterra. Buster’s Boy had won his first three career starts, including the Howard B. Noonan Stakes at Mahoning Valley, prior to that. Charlee’s Magic was a multiple stakes-placed juvenile last year before posting his breakthrough score last out.