River Downs: Showdown on turf

The $50,000 Tomboy Stakes at River Downs, in Cincinnati, might prove to be a showdown between the battle-tested Crypto's Twinjet and the up-and-coming Come Hither. The Tomboy, a 1 1/16-mile turf race for Ohio-bred 3-year-old fillies, will have a full field of 12.

Perhaps the main question in the Tomboy is which of the fillies will handle the turf. Only two of the 14 entered have started on the turf, and they did not run very well on it. Rain was forecast for Thursday and Friday, which might force the race to the main track.

Crypto's Twinjet would have been the top Ohio-bred 2-year-old filly last year if not for the presence of Joanies Bella, who beat her twice and won a graded stakes at Arlington. In Joanies Bella's absence, Crypto's Twinjet dominated the John Galbreath Stakes at Beulah before hitting the sidelines for the winter.

In her seasonal debut 12 days ago, Crypto's Twinjet finished second in an allowance at Thistledown going six furlongs. She has finished worse than second only once, finishing fifth behind Harlan's Holiday in her second career start.

Come Hither did not start at 2, but has made up for it by wining three of her first four starts, including the Tougaloo Stakes at Thistledown by 5 1/2 lengths last month. The Tomboy will be her first start around two turns, but she has the running style to be effective at the distance.