Paulassilverlining well rested, has the rail in Honorable Miss

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – One could understand if trainer Michelle Nevin was upset after her filly Paulassilverlining drew the rail for the fourth consecutive race in Wednesday’s Grade 2, $200,000 Honorable Miss Handicap at Saratoga. But seeing how well Paulassilverlining has done from that sometimes-intimidating post recently, Nevin will simply grin and bear it.

In her last two starts, Paulassilverlining has won the Grade 3 Distaff at Aqueduct and the Grade 3 Vagrancy at Belmont from the rail. Back in March, Paulassilverlining finished second in the Correction Stakes over Aqueduct’s inner track on a day when jockey Jose Ortiz might have been better off sending his filly to the lead.

Paulassilverlining, a 4-year-old daughter of Ghostzapper, meets six rivals in the Honorable Miss, a six-furlong race that serves as a prep for the Grade 1 Ballerina here Aug. 27.

Paulassilverlining comes into the Honorable Miss off a 67-day layoff. She has run well fresh in the past, winning the 2015 Ruthless Stakes off a 63-day layoff and an allowance race in February off a 47-day freshening.

“Feeling good about her; she’s doing good, she’s happy,” Nevin said. “It’s always questionable when you have the rail, the trip you’re going to get. What we’ve seen in the past is she’s versatile.”

In the Vagrancy, at 6 1/2 furlongs, Paulassilverlining broke running, but a furlong into the race Ortiz backed her off, and Paulassilverlining settled right behind dueling leaders Momameamaria and West Coast Chick. There appears to be plenty of speed types in this field, with Disco Chick, Diva Express, and Sarah Sis all likely to be forwardly placed.

“We know that she can rate,” Nevin said.

The connections of the New York-breds Haveyougoneaway and Bar of Gold are hoping for a pace battle for their fillies.

Haveyougoneaway, a 5-year-old daughter of Congrats, is coming off a 2 3/4-length victory in the Dancin Renee Stakes at Belmont on July 3.

“You’ve got to think there are two or three fillies that are going to go on, and probably Michelle’s filly will sit behind them, and I’ll sit right behind Michelle, and we’ll see if we can run her down,” said Tom Morley, the trainer of Haveyougoneaway.

Sarah Sis, the winner of the Grade 3 Chicago Handicap, set the pace in last year’s Ballerina before finishing fourth.

KEY CONTENDERS

Paulassilverlining, by Ghostzapper

Last 3 Beyers: 95-96-97

◗ Has won races over all four of this circuit’s dirt tracks, including a maiden win here in the mud in August 2014.

◗ Her stalking running style should serve her well in a race seemingly loaded with pace.

◗ As the 122-pound highweight, she is conceding four to seven pounds to the field.

Haveyougoneaway, by Congrats

Last 3 Beyers: 95-88-83

◗ Romped in the Dancin Renee, restricted to New York-breds, and recorded a career-high 95 Beyer Speed Figure.

◗ Came back to work a bullet half-mile in 47 seconds at Belmont on July 19.

“It’s coming back a little bit quick for my filly, maybe, but her work at Belmont was the best piece of work I’ve ever seen her do by a mile,” Morley said.

Bar of Gold, by Medaglia d’Oro

Last 3 Beyers: 91-91-87

◗ Finished second to Cavorting in a pair of graded stakes here last summer, including the Grade 1 Test.

◗ Comes off a third-place finish behind By the Moon in the Grade 3 Bed o’ Roses going seven furlongs.

◗ Should benefit from the outside draw, which will enable her to stalk the speed inside of her.