Presque Isle Downs: Lotta Lovin takes a step back

Lotta Lovin returns to statebred company in search of her second win of the season in the $75,000 Northern Fling at Presque Isle Downs on Sunday.

Lotta Lovin won her first out of the year Jan. 19 at Turfway Park in the Likely Exchange. It was the same one-mile distance as the Northern Fling. In her three outings since then, she finished fifth in the Grade 3 Doubledogdare at Keeneland, third in the Grade 3 Arlington Matron at Arlington Park, and then fifth, beaten two lengths, in the $100,000 Windward on June 30 at Presque Isle. The 4-year-old made a nice middle move in the Windward, but after chasing slow fractions early she flattened out in late stretch.

Pablo Morales retains the mount for trainer Mike Maker.

Appealing Cat finished second last year to Lotta Lovin in the Malvern Rose for Pennsylvania-bred horses and will be trying to turn the tables this year. Part of an Augustin Stable entry, Appealing Cat also should benefit with a return to the statebred ranks. Four of her six outings this season have been in Grade 3 company on the turf.
Appealing Cat ran second in the Endeavour and eighth in the Hillsborough at Tampa Bay Downs, third in the Gallorette Handicap at Pimlico, and fifth in the All Along at Colonial Downs most recently. Her lone win this year came April 12 at Keeneland in an allowance event on the turf. Trained by Graham Motion, Appealing Cat will be coupled with the Jonathan Sheppard-trained Daylight Ride. A field of nine, including the entry, was entered.

The ultra-consistent Traffic Light will be looking for his third win in as many outings this year in the $75,000 Leemat for older Pennsylvania-bred horses. In his first out of the year May 12, he won a seven-furlong optional claimer. In his last out June 22, the 4-year-old won the $100,000 Donald Levine Memorial going seven furlongs. Both victories were at Parx Racing. Traffic Light has finished off the board only three times in his 15-race career, but has yet to run on a synthetic surface. Trained by Alfredo Velazquez, Traffic Light will be ridden by John Bisono in the one-mile Leemat. A full field of 12, including an entry was carded.

Roadhog will be looking for his first win of the year in the Leemat for trainer Elizabeth Merryman. The 6-year-old comes into the race off a fifth-place finish in the Grade 2 Colonial Turf Cup going 1 3/16 miles. All six of his lifetime wins have come over turf courses, and he is yet to run on a synthetic surface. Horacio Karamanos will ride.