Misty Sixes takes a step up
OZONE PARK, N.Y. - With the Bobby Frankel-trained stars Sightseek and Wild Spirit back in California, stakes races run in the filly and mare division in New York are more appealing wagering ventures.
Although only six fillies and mares were entered in Saturday's Grade 3, $100,000 Turnback the Alarm at Aqueduct, simply identifying the favorite is difficult. Misty Sixes may be in the best form, having won four of her last six starts, but she has not been facing tough company. Nor is she proven at the Turnback the Alarm distance of 1 1/8 miles.
Misty Sixes, trained by Steve Klesaris, is coming off an 11 3/4-length win in the Lighthouse Stakes at Monmouth Park on Sept. 6 in which she earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 99. She could be part of the early pace or lay just off the speed of Pocus Hocus or Miss Linda.
Miss Linda, a Grade 1 winner in 2001, has not won in 21 months. She ran respectably in last month's Spinster, setting a moderate pace before finishing third behind Take Charge Lady. Miss Linda is the 118-pound highweight under Richard Migliore.
"I don't think our filly has to be in front," said trainer John Kimmel. "Richie's been on her enough to know what she can do. We'll let her get away from there and get in a good, comfortable rhythm and take it from there."
Pocus Hocus enters the Turnback the Alarm off a second-place finish in the Long Look Handicap at The Meadowlands on Oct. 11. She set a dawdling pace in that race, but was outfooted by Drexel Monorail. Jose Santos rides from post 4.
A strong pace would benefit Lady Liberty and She's Got the Beat. Lady Liberty finished third behind Pocus Hocus in a third-level allowance race on Sept. 19, her first start off a three-month layoff.
"I thought she ran fine; I hadn't done much with her," trainer Shug McGaughey said. "She galloped out really strong that day. I think the mile and an eighth will help her, especially if she can get a little bit of pace."
Trainer Phil Johnson wheels She's Got the Beat back two weeks after she finished a hard-luck second in the Iroquois Handicap for New York-breds. She's Got the Beat has fared well in two-turn 1 1/8-mile races this year.
Nonsuch Bay comes out of a last-place finish in the Sept. 13 Ruffian. Jerry Bailey, whose 64 stakes wins this year are four shy of Mike Smith's one-year record, has the call.