Outside Nashville tries to repeat in Joseph T. Grace
In Jerry Hollendorfer’s deep stable, Outside Nashville is often overlooked, except when he runs in Santa Rosa – and even then he’s never been the outright favorite here.
He won the Joseph T. Grace Handicap at Santa Rosa last year and will defend his title in the 1 1/16-mile turf race for 3-year-olds and up on Sunday.
Outside Nashville has run here twice, winning the Robert Dupret Derby as a 3-year-old before last year’s 1 1/2-length victory over Eagle Screams in the Joseph T. Grace. Eagle Screams also returns Sunday.
Outside Nashville has also won four sprint stakes and placed 11 times in 21 stakes starts.
Outside Nashville is one of four runners Hollendorfer is sending out in the 10-horse field for the $50,000 Grace. The other three are Southern Freedom, who lost a photo in the Grade 3 All American at Golden Gate Fields on May 30; Bronze Star, the winner of the Oak Tree Handicap at Pleasanton; and Anythingscookin, gunning for his fourth straight win.
All three are coming off front-running efforts and should provide Outside Nashville with a legitimate pace to run at.
Eagle Screams should sit nicely behind the speed and will get first run on Outside Nashville. Power Ped, fourth in the Wickerr Stakes at Del Mar after 6 1/2 months on the sidelines, should also get a good trip behind the leaders.
JOSEPH T. GRACE HANDICAP (Race 9)
KEY CONTENDERS
Outside Nashville, by Broken Vow
Last 3 Beyers: 96-91-93
◗ He comes off a win in a sprint stakes at Pleasanton.
◗ His rail draw should allow him to save ground.
Eagle Screams, by Redattore
Last 3 Beyers: 78-90-91
◗ He is making his third start following a February claim.
◗ He’s been part of the exacta in all four starts here – two wins and two seconds.
Power Ped, by Powerscourt
Last 3 Beyers: 87-91-98
◗ He ran evenly down south in the Wickerr.
◗ He’s approaching $500,000 in earnings on turf and has been a consistent check earner in graded turf stakes.
◗ Barn has a low percentage of winners making their second start off a layoff.