Retama: Wide-open turf race

A handful of the region's recent turf stakes winners will converge on Retama Park for the $50,000 Margarita Breeders' Cup.

Paz Ciudadana and Pad the Wallet will meet for the first time after winning stakes at Louisiana Downs, while High Pioneer comes into the 1 1/16-mile turf race for fillies and mares off an overnight stakes win at Lone Star Park.

Paz Ciudadana is a versatile sort who can win from on or off the pace, but she looks like a front-running danger here. She stretches back out to two turns after having raced in a sprint, and could sit right off of the rail-drawn Rose Hunter.

Pad the Wallet won three straight races from April to June, including the $50,000 Old South Handicap at Louisiana Downs.

High Pioneer closed fast to win a division of the $40,000 Fresa on July 1.