Nite Delite faces other speed in Blue Sparkler Stakes

Nite Delite is the most likely winner of the $60,000 Blue Sparkler Stakes at Monmouth Park on Sunday, but the expected pace scenario in the five-furlong turf sprint for fillies and mares does not leave much room for error. Her best bet in the speed-laden field of 11 is to break running and not look back.

Nite Delite, trained by Linda Rice, finished second by a head to Joya Real in this race last August while making her second start after being sent east from her home state of California. She not only may be the quickest in Sunday’s lineup, she also comes out of the best races.

Two starts back, she finished fourth, beaten 2 3/4 lengths, in the $125,000 Ladies’ Turf Sprint at Gulfstream Park. The winner, Pretty Perfection, came back to win the Captiva Island at Gulfstream and last weekend finished fourth, beaten 1 1/4 lengths, in The Very One at Pimlico over less-than-firm ground.

Everything Lovely, who finished second in the Ladies’ Turf Sprint, won The Very One. Nite Delite, in her start following the Ladies’ Turf Sprint, was fourth, beaten two lengths, in the Captiva Island.

If the pace melts down, the two best closers in the field look to be J La Tache and Spectacular Me, both of whom should be generous prices.

J La Tache was entered in the $100,000 The Very One but was scratched by trainer Graham Motion. She closed from seventh to win a slow-early/fast-late allowance race last time out at Laurel Park.

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Blue Sparkler, Race 8

Key Contenders

J La Tache, by Harlan’s Holiday
Last 3 Beyers: 79-86-80

◗ She is 2 for 15 in her career, but if her last race is any indication, she may find her calling as a turf sprinter. Following splits of 25.11 and 49.95 seconds over yielding turf, she closed about three lengths through a final three-sixteenths that went in 18.37 seconds.

J La Tache, who will be ridden by Daniel Centeno, was steadied early in that race and fanned wide nearing the stretch.

Nite Delite, by War Chant
Last 3 Beyers: 86-84-88

◗ She has been freshened since early March and has run well off similar short breaks in the past. Joe Bravo rides.

Spanish Concert, by Concerto
Last 3 Beyers: 79-86-80

◗ She has won four of her last five starts for trainer Kathleen O’Connell, including the Minaret Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs. She is fast and would be dangerous if she gets the jump on Nite Delite.

Fast Kat, by Weigelia
Last 3 Beyers: 86-67-50

◗ A turf-sprint stakes winner, she concluded her 6-year-old season in November with an eight-length romp over third-level optional-claiming rivals on the main track at Parx Racing. Although she must overcome the outside post here, she could land in a stalking position early.