Pace scenario aids favored Two Names

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - Like most five-furlong turf sprints, Sunday's $46,000 allowance headliner figures to feature a fast and potentially contentious pace. If so, it should enhance the chances of likely favorite Two Names, who turns back in distance off a route.

Two Names is a 4-year-old daughter of War Chant who has made two starts, beginning with a come-from-behind 1 3/4-length maiden tally going six furlongs at Belmont Park in September of her 2-year-old campaign. Unfortunately, she did not get back to the races for another 14 months, finally returning at Calder on Dec. 10 and finishing an even fifth going 1 1/16 miles under first-level allowance conditions.

"She should run better having had a race after the layoff," said leading trainer Anthony Sciametta, who is filling in for Todd Pletcher, who remains under suspension until early February. "She's trained well since that race."

Another Punch could also benefit from a quick pace, although she is question mark making her turf debut on Sunday. A 4-year-old daughter of Two Punch, she has license to handle the grass, being an offspring of the mare Two Bet, who finished in the money in 6 of her 7 starts on grass and produced the turf stakes winner Rahy's Chance.

Another Punch turned in big efforts in both starts since being transferred to trainer Dale Capuano in the fall, including an easy 7 3/4-length maiden victory at seven furlongs at Laurel in her 3-year-old finale.

The early speed should be provided by Runaway Cat, Bon Bon Princess, Angapanga, and perhaps Trophy Pride.

Runaway Cat is another turf novice, and she makes her first start since May 21 and first for trainer Barclay Tagg. A daughter of Forest Wildcat, she won her maiden by eight lengths going 4 1/2 furlongs and has been working well over the main track, including a bullet half-mile drill in 46.20 seconds on Dec. 30.

Angapanga led throughout in her only start, while racing for a $40,000 price tag, but shows just a single recorded workout since shipping to south Florida this winter. She, too, will make her grass bow on Sunday.

Albany County proved competitive under similar conditions here last winter, but has won just once in 13 tries on turf.

So Bling Bling has yet to run a poor race in three starts and should trip out nicely behind the early leaders.