Risque's Legacy tries two turns in Irish Day Stakes

Risque’s Legacy will try to carry her substantial speed around two turns for the first time in the $50,000 Irish Day Stakes at Emerald Downs on Sunday. The Karl Krieg homebred is clearly the one to catch, and unless Retreat Yourself or McKenzie Honey puts pressure on her early, she could be long gone in the one-mile race for 3-year-old fillies that drew 10 horses.

Trained by Tom Wenzel, Risque’s Legacy has won three of her four starts and was particularly impressive in winning the $50,000 Kent Stakes going 6 1/2 furlongs in her last start May 28. After dueling with the heavily favored Alliford Bay through a quick half-mile in 44.23 seconds, she was able to hold off Retreat Yourself, who came from a stalking position, and Blazinbeauty, who came from well back.

The pedigree of Risque’s Legacy suggests that she might be better sprinting. Her Grade 2-winning sire, Atta Boy Roy, won 13 sprints, with his only win going a middle distance coming in a one-mile allowance race at Santa Anita. She is the first foal out of Risque’s Humor, whose lone win in two starts came sprinting.

Nonetheless, the shape of the race should work for her, and over the past five years, Wenzel has a respectable 15 percent strike rate with horses going a mile or longer for the first time. Wenzel also won the Irish Day three straight years beginning in 2011.

Risque’s Legacy drew post 5, with leading rider Rocco Bowen retaining the mount.

Trainer Frank Lucarelli is looking forward to stretching out Blazinbeauty for the first time since she romped by six lengths over the boys in the $75,000 Gottstein Futurity on Sept. 11. She was finishing fastest of all when third in the Kent.

“I like my filly,” said Lucarelli. “She ran well in both of her sprints this year, but she really wants two turns. I haven’t looked at the race yet, but hopefully there is some speed to go with Risque’s Legacy.”

That remains to be seen.

KEY CONTENDERS

Risque’s Legacy, by Atta Boy Roy
Last 3 Beyers: 70-83-57

◗ There isn’t much doubt about where she will be early in this race, and if she gets away with moderate fractions, she will be tough to run down.

Blazinbeauty, by Tale of Ekati
Last 3 Beyers: 67-70-63

◗ She appears to be peaking at the right time and should thrive with the added distance.

Sheeza Sassy Girl, by The Pamplemousse
Last 3 Beyers: 72-68-73

◗ She looks like the best of the three entered by leading trainer Blaine Wright. The versatile California-bred is a sprint winner on dirt and Tapeta and won a $40,000 optional-claiming race at Golden Gate Fields going a mile on turf April 22. In her last start, she just missed while finishing third in a 1 1/16-mile, $40,000 optional-claiming race on turf at Golden Gate on June 11.