Needmore Flattery, Justalittlesmoke meet again in Scarlet and Gray Handicap
Needmore Flattery, a two-time Ohio-bred Horse of the Year, and Justalittlesmoke, last season’s champion statebred 3-year-old filly, will resume their rivalry in Saturday’s $75,000 Scarlet and Gray Handicap at Thistledown.
The now-5-year-old Needmore Flattery, conceding five pounds to her younger opponent, made up a two-length deficit at the eighth pole and beat Justalittlesmoke by a head in last year’s six-furlong Scarlet and Gray.
In two subsequent meetings, Justalittlesmoke beat Needmore Flattery by 1 3/4 lengths in the six-furlong Diana and outfinished her by 4 3/4 lengths in winning the 1 1/16-mile J. William Petro Memorial Handicap.
Justalittlesmoke, the 122-pound highweight in a field of six Ohio-bred fillies and mares Saturday, comes off a career-best 78 Beyer Speed Figure for her 7 1/2-length win over open company Sept. 2.
Needmore Flattery, 17 for 34 lifetime, is just 1 for 6 this season and is winless in four starts since taking an optional $20,000 claimer going a mile and 70 yards in May.
The fresh face in the lineup is the 3-year-old Proper Discretion. She has won four straight races since May, the last two against open allowance company.
Scarlet and Gray, Race 7
KEY CONTENDERS
Justalittlesmoke, by Smoke Glacken
Last 3 Beyers: 78-75-75
◗ She looked impressive in winning her first start since June 25 two weeks ago and is unbeaten in her last four starts against Ohio-breds.
Proper Discretion, by Discretely Mine
Last 3 Beyers: 71-74-78
◗ She’ll be gunning for the lead under Ricardo Feliciano after breaking from the rail. Makes her first stakes appearance since losing by a head to top Ohio-bred filly School Board Prez in last fall’s John W. Galbraith going two turns.
Needmore Flattery, by Flatter
Last 3 Beyers: 73-70-48
◗ Cuts back from 1 1/8 miles to a sprint for the first time since early May. She was in far sharper form when she won this race a year ago.
Rowlands Big Smile, by Notional
Last 3 Beyers: 61-63-4
◗ She’s 4 for 8 lifetime but has been handled each of the three times she’s faced Justalittlesmoke this season.
