Remington Rock goes for 2nd Alliance

Remington Rock is ready to roll. The gelding, who finished second in his comeback from a more than three-month layoff last out, is set to defend his title Saturday in the $25,000 Alliance Handicap at Louisiana Downs in Bossier City, La.

A field of six is entered in the 1 1/16-mile race. The highweight is L.A. Spider Legs, who is a much improved horse since finishing sixth in last year's Alliance.

Remington Rock was beaten 3 1/2 lengths in his Sept. 9 comeback by White Star, who returned to win an allowance race, as well as last weekend's $65,000 Shiskabob.

"I was well pleased with his last race," said Richard Jackson, who trains Grade 3 winner Remington Rock. "The track was deep, and he made up a lot of ground when a lot of horses were not. I look for him to run a big race Saturday."

L.A. Spider Legs is a different horse since last year's Alliance. He has been a player in the local stakes program all season, finishing second to Unrullah Bull in the $75,000 Ark-La-Tex on Aug. 4, and third in the $50,000 Barksdale Handicap on Sept. 1. Don Simington has the mount for trainer John Saffel. E.J. Perrodin will ride Remington Rock.

Suave Dancer's half-sister at Retama

Suave Sentiment, a half-sister to two-time Group 1 winner Suave Dancer, can win her maiden in Saturday night's $35,000 San Antonio Oaks at Retama Park if she can hold off the late charge of a more seasoned Madison Grace.

Madison Grace appears to be the one to beat in the 1 1/16-mile turf race following her 1 3/4-length win over older rivals in an optional claimer at Retama Park on Oct. 3. Before that, she finished second in the Remington Park Oaks at a mile on turf Sept. 9.

Madison Grace seems to have stepped up her game since learning to rate about four starts ago, which was the first time she was ridden by Steve Bourque. "He's really gotten her to relax," said Barry Germany, who trains Madison Grace, a full sister to stakes winner Heza Fast Tab. "He's really gotten her to use her speed at the end of the race rather than at the start."

Suave Sentiment flashed her speed from the bell in her career debut, setting much of the pace in a two-turn turf race at Arlington Park on Aug. 17 before being overtaken late. Pedigree is her strong suit, as she is a half-sister to $1.7 million earner Suave Dancer.

Trainer Steve Asmussen has given the mount to Casey Lambert.