Perfect Alibi's debut points her out in Astoria

ELMONT, N.Y. – Perfect Alibi didn’t need one in her debut, when she rolled to a 9 1/2-length victory on May 16 at Churchill Downs.

Trainer Mark Casse hopes Perfect Alibi will need no excuses when she runs in Thursday’s $150,000 Astoria Stakes for 2-year-old fillies at Belmont Park.

The Astoria, at 5 1/2 furlongs, drew a field of nine, but trainer Wesley Ward said Monday he plans to run just Ms Headley and wait until Friday’s $150,000 Tremont Stakes against males to run Dixie Mo.

Perfect Alibi, a daughter of Sky Mesa owned by Tracy Farmer, didn’t break too sharply in her debut. She raced fifth early then made a wide rally around the turn, took charge in upper stretch, and despite being late switching leads widened her margin of victory in the final furlong under Shaun Bridgmohan.

“I’m not one that worries too much about first-time starters,” Casse said. “I thought we’ll let her get herself together and come running. Well, she got herself together and she came running. Nobody else did. I still think that filly is going to be a better filly going farther.”

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Bridgmohan will be in New York on Thursday to ride Perfect Alibi from post 2.

Casse also sends out Reiterate, who dead-heated for win in her debut going 4 1/2 furlongs on April 11 at Gulfstream Park. Sonar and Marching In, the third- and fourth-place finishers from that race, came back to win maiden special weight races at Gulfstream in their next start.

“Reiterate is better than she looks on paper,” Casse said.

Jose Ortiz will ride Reiterate from post 2 on Thursday.

Despite getting leg weary late, Ms Headley won her debut by two lengths on May 1 at Churchill Downs, running by Biddy Duke in midstretch. Irad Oritz Jr. was aboard that day and will be back on again from the outside post.

“I thought she was very professional. She broke good, Irad eased her right back. When he asked her to go, she went right on by,” Ward said. “She’s had a couple of nice breezes since. She drew a cozy outside spot. If she’s good enough, she should win. If somebody else is better, we should still have a good race.”

Sneaky Surprise, a New York-bred daughter of Giant Surprise, won a maiden race restricted to New York-breds by 4 1/4 lengths on May 9 at Belmont Park for trainer Todd Pletcher. Twirling Owen and Punk Rock Princess ran a 1-2 in an April 18 maiden race at Laurel. Twirling Owen finished sixth against males in the Kentucky Juvenile, while Punk Rock Princess came back to win her maiden May 2. Both are back in this spot.

Talk You Out of It, second in both of her starts, and Maryanorginger, a first-time starter, complete the field.

The Astoria goes as race 7 on a nine-race card that begins at 3:05 p.m.