My Girl Lisa fits with males

While it is tough for a filly to beat males at route distances on dirt or turf, when it comes to sprinting, fast fillies can more than hold their own. Very Subtle, Desert Stormer, and Safely Kept all won editions of the Breeders' Cup Sprint, and Xtra Heat, Meafara, and Pine Tree Lane all came close.

No one will confuse My Girl Lisa with any of the aforementioned fillies, but bettors shouldn't ignore her when she faces 10 males in the $40,000 Crafty Drone, a five-furlong turf stakes at Hawthorne Race Course in Stickney, Ill., on Saturday.

A daughter of With Approval, My Girl Lisa has increased her residual value this season with victories in the Lazer Show Stakes against fillies at Arlington and the Honor the Hero Turf Express against males at Canterbury. Breaking from post 1 in the Honor the Hero, My Girl Lisa grabbed a lead that no one else seemed to want and drew clear to win by 1 1/2 lengths.

My Girl Lisa breaks from the rail again on Saturday, and arguably has the best current form of anyone in the race. She also has the most experience in turf sprints.

Meadowminer, who is making his turf debut in the Crafty Drone, may be favored. Meadowminer has done well facing high-end allowance foes all season and has the Beyer Speed Figures to make his presence felt. But the son of Meadowlake has a moderate turf pedigree and could be vulnerable over a new surface. If the Crafty Drone were rained off the turf, he would have to be given a closer look.

The other major contenders have had moderate success of late.

Distinctive Mr. B captured the Glassy Dip Stakes on turf at this distance during the Hawthorne spring meet but hasn't run back to that effort in two subsequent turf starts. However, he may have been hindered by soft footing on both occasions.

Man o' Rhythm captured the Taylor's Special Stakes, a turf sprint at Arlington, two starts back, but had little to offer in the Smile Handicap last time.

Purplest, competitive in allowance company at Arlington this summer, was beaten less than four lengths by Capsized in the Steinlen Handicap. He would be a serious threat if he handles the move back to one turn.