River Downs: Heavenly Jet can do

Trainer Luis Palacios has a right to feel confident about Saturday's $50,000 Tomboy Stakes at River Downs, as he will saddle three major contenders in the 1 1/16-mile turf race for Ohio-bred 3-year-old fillies. Fourteen were entered for the Tomboy, though a maximum of only 12 can start.

Palacios' top filly, Heavenly Jet, has won four of five career starts and is the probable favorite. Second in her debut last July at River Downs, Heavenly Jet did not race again until this past March, when she began a four-race win streak, all in sprints at Beulah Park. Biggest among those wins was the Royal North Stakes on April 6.

Though untested around two-turns or on turf, her pedigree suggests she is capable of handling both. She also is capable in mud if rain forces a switch to the main track.

Palacios' other fillies, Whitewater Way and Orangeberry, will race as an entry. Whitewater Way, the only filly that has beaten Heavenly Jet, was a stakes winner at 2 and recently finished a fast-closing second to Orangeberry in her seasonal debut.

Orangeberry has yet to win a stakes, but finished third behind Heavenly Jet in the Royal North. Both Whitewater Way and Orangeberry stand a better chance of upsetting Heavenly Jet on the main track considering neither have strong turf influences in their pedigree.

Lead the Parade and Kiosk are both in good form and can not be overlooked.