Nasty Fever on roll at Fort Erie
Nasty Fever, coming off a 14 1/4-length score in the 1 1/16-mile Fort Erie Slots Cup on July 19, is the filly to beat as she shortens up to six furlongs for Monday's Mike Anderson Memorial.
The $27,500 Anderson Memorial, like the Slots Cup, is restricted to fillies and mares who have started at least twice at the current meeting. The race attracted a field of 10.
"I was lucky that Nasty Fever didn't like the Polytrack at Woodbine," trainer Nick Gonzalez said.
"Since I got her down here, her record speaks for itself."
That record, encompassing eight starts, includes six wins at distances ranging from five furlongs on turf to 1 1/16 miles on the main track, with her only defeats coming on the turf course.
Nasty Fever, a Kentucky-bred 4-year-old, made her first appearance here this year with a win over five furlongs of turf on June 8. She came back three weeks later to finish second behind Woodbine shipper The Queen's Stamp in a one-mile turf race.
"I had to run her twice, to get her eligible for that first Cup race," Gonzalez said.
"There's always a little concern, coming back kind of quick here and cutting back in distance. But she's really got the local fillies and mares over a barrel. She's just too good."
Leading rider Chad Beckon retains the mount on Nasty Fever, who should have plenty of speed to run at with the likes of Grain of Truth, Donna Nook, and Treat Queen in the lineup.
Grain of Truth is coming off a front-running win over five furlongs of slop in a $16,000 claiming race here July 21.
Chris Griffith retains the mount on Grain of Truth, who is trained by Don MacRae.
Classy Flower, the runner-up in that claiming race, also returns in the Anderson Memorial and should appreciate the added yardage.
David Garcia, who has been riding well here, picks up the mount from trainer John Simms.
In Love in Seattle also is in good form and comes off a second-place finish against males in a $10,000 starter allowance here July 22.
Regular rider Monique Dionne retains the mount.