Nancy G. looks tough on turf, dirt

Whether the $50,000 Gin Talking Stakes remains on Laurel Park's turf course or gets moved to a sloppy or muddy track by the rain that's forecast for Maryland, Nancy G. appears formidable.

Nancy G. is the lone runner among six Maryland-bred 2-year-old fillies with any experience racing on grass. She rallied from seventh, passing five horses and gaining slightly more than five lengths, to finish second in her career debut on Aug. 15.

She's a half-sister to Clash by Night, whose $624,194 in career earnings include two stakes wins on turf, the Woodchopper Handicap at Fair Grounds and the 1996 Humprey S. Finney at Pimlico. Clash by Night was trained by Richard Small, who also trains Nancy G.

If conditions for the 5 1/2-furlong race are muddy or sloppy, Nancy G. owns the best Tomlinson figure (444) for a wet main track.

Nancy G.'s dam, Reina Terra, also is the granddam of the first-time starter Queen of Song, so much of the same pedigree profiles are relevant. Queen of Song shows two bullet works at the Fair Hill Training Center for the Gin Talking.

Letmeaskyouaquestion, 2 for 2 in short sprints at Charles Town, including a statebred stakes, and Graceful Ginger, a game winner against open maiden company at Delaware Park, also would be dangerous if the race gets shifted to dirt. Their main-track Beyer Speed Figures are much faster than anyone else in the field has earned.