Needs Supervision adds blinkers, stretches out in du Pont

As Jeremiah O’Dwyer’s first stakes winner, Needs Supervision has a special place in the trainer’s heart. Saturday, Needs Supervision hopes to upset six fillies and mares in the Grade 3, $150,000 Allaire du Pont Stakes at 1 1/8 miles. The du Pont is the last graded race of 2020 on the East Coast and headlines a super card at Laurel Park featuring eight stakes worth $850,000 in purses.

Although a stakes winner at one mile and 70 yards, Needs Supervision hasn’t stretched out around two turns since facing Serengeti Empress in the 2019 Rachel Alexandra at Fair Grounds.

“It was kind of circumstances and the races that were presented to us,” O’Dwyer said. “We run a lot at Laurel and New York, and all of those races seem to be the one-turn mile or seven furlongs. I’m looking forward to getting her back two turns.”

Needs Supervision adds blinkers for the first time.

“We’ve had them on her here at home and it seems to have helped calm her down,” O’Dwyer said. “Most people associate blinkers on with trying to sharpen a horse up. We’re trying to do the opposite. We’re trying to get her to focus on her own race.”

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“She’s a little quirky. She likes to lug out a little bit when you have a hold of her. She’s a pretty sensible girl when you don’t fight her.”

Needs Supervision prepped with a third-place finish in the Primonetta at six furlongs, her first start in 259 days.

“I was happy with how she finished,” O’Dwyer said. “She was a lot further back than I would have liked, but in the end, I was glad to see her come home and finish up the race well.”

Eres Tu has won both starts for trainer Arnaud Delcaour since returning from a 571-day layoff.

“She came to me in great shape at the beginning of the summer.” Delacour said. “I was impressed with her right away because she’s a big tall filly with a rangy stride.”

Eres Tu earned a career-best 91 Beyer Speed Figure when winning the Thirty Eight Go Go Stakes on Nov. 28.

“I was really impressed with the way she galloped out,” Delacour said. “It looked like she was not tired at all. I think that’s a good sign for the added distance.”

Ice Princess also looms a prime contender after finishing second in her last two races at nine furlongs, including the Comely.

“Her best attribute is that she can run long distances,” trainer Danny Gargan said. “She should have won the race at Saratoga [the Fleet Indian]. She was much the best that day. She was down on the rail and never could get through until the end and she hates being on the inside. It’s a little quick back for my filly. That’s my only concern.”

Another Broad, winless in 16 starts on fast dirt, recently finished third in the Grade 2 Falls City Stakes. Completing the field are Alittlelesstalk, a multiple stakes winner at Emerald Downs; likely pacesetter Landing Zone; and stakes winner Wicked Awesome.