Mongolian Lotus sharp for City of Phoenix Stakes

PHOENIX – Mongolian Lotus looks to continue her sharp form in Friday’s $27,500 City of Phoenix Stakes at Turf Paradise. The mile main-track event for fillies and mares drew a field of six.

Owned by the Stable HMA and sent out by leading trainer Justin Evans, Mongolian Lotus comes here having won four of her last five, including a win on this track at this trip Jan. 11. That was her first try here. The 5-year-old daughter of Graydar has tactical speed, which gives her rider Isaias Enriquez options.

:: Want to get your Past Performances for free? Click to learn more.

Killarney Lass, a 5-year-old daughter of Eskendereya owned by Daniel Sargent and trained by Frank Lucarelli, is a threat with a return to top form. She was sharp at Emerald Downs last summer, romping in a sprint stakes Aug. 13 and then finishing third in a tough route stakes Sept. 10. She wasn’t seen after that until she showed up for a sprint stakes here Jan. 5, but she was never in the mix, finishing sixth of seven. She can benefit from that outing and may enjoy returning to this longer trip. She posted a bullet five-furlong work in 58.20 here Jan. 20. Heribert Martinez rides.

Sure Angel comes off an easy win over allowance foes at this distance here Jan. 11. That was her first start here and first start in a few months, so she can move forward on Friday.

Shanghai Keely was a multiple stakes winner in New Mexico last year, with one of those victories at this distanc. She comes off a second in a sprint here Jan. 20 behind Cashcheckorcharge, maybe the best female sprinter on the grounds. That race also was her first start in five months.