Rain could completely change complexion of Violet Stakes
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A poor weather forecast for Saturday at Monmouth Park scared several trainers well in advance of the $100,000 Violet Stakes. If the 1 1/16-mile race is taken off the turf due to rain, it would drastically affect the field of 11 fillies and mares.
If nature imposes its will, no one will be happier than trainer Michael Stidham, who entered Amalfi Drive with the sole intention of running her on dirt, where she has earned all three of her career victories. The 4-year-old filly finished second in the $150,000 Obeah at Delaware Park in June and came back to run a closer fourth in the $100,000 Maggie L. Walker at Colonial last month.
“We will only run if it’s off the turf,” Stidham said. “If it stays on, she will not participate. She’s gaining momentum and she’s got some talent. We’ve got a stakes placing and we’re trying to win a stake with her. We’re hoping that if this race comes off the turf, we’re live.”
Among the notable potential defections, trainer Miguel Clement said he expected the race to be taken off the grass and is therefore “not sure to run” Unreasonable. The 5-year-old mare is coming off back-to-back runner-up finishes in second-level allowances in New York.
Long Ago is cross-entered in the Grade 2 Ballston Spa at Saratoga, and trainer Billy Morey said he expects to stay in New York.
Chad Brown entered three runners in the Violet, including likely favorite City Girl, who finished third in the Grade 3 Matchmaker with a 90 Beyer Speed Figure last month. She and her turf-running stablemate, the last-out allowance winner Midway Memories, have made a combined 19 starts – none on dirt.
Brown’s third horse, the 4-year-old filly Aeolian, is entered for the main track only and could get the chance to bounce back after finishing sixth in the Grade 2 Shuvee at Saratoga last month.
Souper Zonda finished last by 39 3/4 lengths in her lone dirt start in September 2024, but if the Violet stays on turf, she could be the pacesetter breaking from the rail. The Mark Casse-trained filly has won four of her last five starts, with her only defeat coming because of a troubled trip from an inside post.
“She’s just always drawn outside, but she’s got speed,” Casse said. “I would say if she breaks well, I don’t see anybody pressing her. I think she makes the lead, so that shouldn’t be too big of a concern.”
Souper Zonda is owned by Live Oak Plantation, as are the Michael Trombetta-trained fillies Souper Williwaw and Mischief in Motion. Both are capable of applying early pressure, but Casse hopes that the Trombetta runners don’t try to duel his filly out of the race.
Trombetta said he tried to find the right allowance conditions for Souper Williwaw and Mischief in Motion but failed, forcing him back into stakes company. Souper Williwaw finished well behind Souper Zonda in a pair of statebred stakes in Florida earlier this year.
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