Ploesti Flight holds edge

SAN MATEO, Calif. - Ploesti Flight stands alone among the 14 3-year-olds running in the two $20,000 turf claiming races Bay Meadows on Thursday. She's the only runner in either of the races with a turf victory.

turf victory came at Bay Meadows in February. She was given an 11-week freshener after that and did little in her comeback, running last in a strong allowance field at a mile at Golden Gate Fields. On Thursday, she drops back into more favorable company. Her victory on turf came at this same $20,000 claiming level.

Four of Ploesti Flight's six rivals Thursday are making their turf debuts. Stephanitely finished in front of Ploesti Flight last time, and she had won two straight starts before that race. Her breeding does not seem to cry out for the turf, though.

The Great Question, , and Penny Power step up after running one-two-three last time. Must Be a Topper couldn't quite catch The Great Question but has an extra sixteenth of a mile to do so here.

, second in her turf debut, and Siberian Wine, third behind Free Wheeler in her lone turf start, round out the field.

None of the eight colts in the other turf claiming race have won on the grass, but Flying Incognito has a second and pair of thirds in three starts on the grass.

As a maiden, he lost to highly regarded Objective and Sweet Roberto. He was third when favored against better on the turf in his last start. Irish Look and Super Coy both chased him that day and will challenge him again here at a mile.

Flying Incognito set a comfortable pace last time and seems to prefer the lead. He may have the speed to get the lead, though Bold'nbizarredixie may challenge him for it.

Atticus in Style, Capricious One, Bellotti, and recent maiden winner Silent Speed, all making their turf debuts, round out the field.

Meanwhile, trainer Jerry Hollendorfer's trio of horses that ran at Churchill Downs over Kentucky Derby weekend were due to fly home Tuesday morning from Louisville.

Hollendorfer said he would take his time finding spots for Trickey Trevor, who won the Grade 2 Churchill Downs Handicap; Kentucky Derby also-ran Cause to Believe; and Lion Andthe Lamb, who faded late in the Aegon Turf Sprint. He'll be looking at Southern California races for Trickey Trevor. Cause to Believe will likely get some time off.