Needmore Flattery seeks to extend streak on short rest in Diana Stakes
Needmore Flattery, cutting back from 1 1/8 miles to six furlongs after winning her fifth straight race, and Justalittlesmoke, fresh after sitting out the Best of Ohio series two weeks ago, clash for the second time in Saturday’s $75,000 Diana Stakes for Ohio-bred fillies and mares at ThistleDown.
In their previous confrontation in the six-furlong Scarlet and Gray on Sept. 19, the 3-year-old Justalittlesmoke held a two-length advantage at the eighth pole but was overtaken in deep stretch as Needmore Flattery got up by a head. The 4-year-old Needmore Flattery, bidding to become Ohio-bred Horse of the Year for the third straight season, is coming back just two weeks after winning the 1 1/8-mile Best of Ohio Distaff.
The eight-horse field also includes Blazing Bling, who upset last year’s Diana at 8-1, and Timefadesthepages, returning to Cleveland after back-to-back wins at Belterra Park in Cincinnati.
KEY CONTENDERS
Needmore Flattery (Last 3 Beyers: 64-74-71)
◗ She successfully made the transition from a route to six furlongs when she beat Justalittlesmoke in the Scarlet and Gray, but it’s a little troubling that she regressed 10 points on the Beyer Speed Figure scale and is coming back just two weeks later.
Justalittlesmoke (Last 3 Beyers: 74-71-51)
◗ She should be ready to show her best after skipping the Best of Ohio series. On the downside, trainer Rob Gorham is 0 for 18 with sprinters in non-graded stakes returning following a break of 31 to 60 days.
Blazing Bling (Last 3 Beyers: 45-53-34)
◗ She was much sharper coming into this race last year than she is now. Her last good race came 4 1/2 months ago when she took the Angenora Stakes.
Timefadesthepages (Last 3 Beyers: 60-70-44)
◗ She was no match for Needmore Flattery in a pair of two-turn stakes but regained her confidence by winning back-to-back sprints. She has yet to prove she’s good enough to compete with stakes company.
Crafty Blue Kat (Last 3 Beyers: 48-50-50)
◗ She was fifth in this race last year and has lost eight straight since upsetting the 2014 Scarlet and Gray at 13-1. She adds blinkers in first start for Aaron West, who has won at a 31 percent clip in 2014-15 the first time off the claim.