Presque Isle Downs: Lotta Lovin suited by mile distance of Windward
RACE REPLAY IS NOT AVAILABLE
Lotta Lovin will be looking for her second win of the year in the $100,000 Windward Stakes on Sunday. The Windward, a one-mile race for fillies and mares over Presque Isle’s Tapeta surface, drew a field of 10.
Trained by Mike Maker, Lotta Lovin won her first start of the year in the $50,000 Likely Exchange at Turfway Park on Jan. 19. After some time off, the 4-year-old filly finished fifth in the Grade 3 Doubledogdare Stakes at Keeneland in April. Most recently she was third, beaten three-quarters of a length, in the 1 1/8-mile Arlington Matron on May 25.
“I think it was just a little too long for her,” Maker said. “There was not a lot of speed in there and she just milked it out as long as she could. I think the mile is more suited to her.”
Lotta Lovin has had a pair of bullet works over the Polytrack at Turfway Park since the Matron and Maker is happy with how she is training.
“She has always been a solid work horse, she has been working well and doing great,” he said. “I think she will give a good account of herself up there.”
There is an abundance of speed in the Windward and Maker thinks that will work to Lotta Lovin’s benefit.
“It looks like it will set up well for her,” he said. “She can sit off the pace, she has won up there before. She loves the track and the distance.”
Pedro Morales will ride.
Dancing to Town will be looking for her second win of the year. Trained by Michael Matz, Dancing to Town won her first race of the year in front-running fashion at Keeneland. That optional claiming race was the 5-year-old mare’s first attempt racing on a synthetic surface. Matz then took his charge to Woodbine, where she finished fourth in the Grade 2 Nassau on turf. The speedy daughter of Speightstown has led at the first two calls in nine of her past 10 starts and should be among the pacesetters Sunday.
Alex Cintron will ride.
Noble Charlotte finished second in this event last season and won an allowance race, the Windward prep on June 9, by a half-length. Trained by Tony Ferraro, the prep was the first win in three starts this year for Noble Charlotte.
Mario Pino retains the mount.