Pebbles among final turf opportunities

ELMONT, N.Y. – You know the end of turf season is around the corner when trainers are wheeling their horses back in three weeks to run in stakes.

Saturday’s $200,000 Pebbles Stakes at a mile on turf drew a field of 12, including Ancient Secret, Stella Rose, and Thundering Sky, all of whom are coming out of stakes races on Sept. 24.

Ancient Secret won her first four starts before finishing seventh at 3-5 in the Ontario Colleen at Woodbine on Sept. 24. Thundering Sky finished third in that race, while Stella Rose is coming off a fourth-place finish in the Commonwealth Oaks at Laurel.

Ancient Secret drew post 3 for the Pebbles and is one of two horses entered by Chad Brown. He also entered She Doesn’t Mind, who finished second to On Leave in the Riskaverse Stakes at Saratoga on Aug. 25. She Doesn’t Mind drew post 12.

The remainder of the field comprises Enjoy Yourself, Believe in Bertie, Wild About Harry, Ultra Brat, Grade 3 winner Baciami Piccola, Welcoming, Insta Erma, and Louisville First.