River Downs: Which surface for Tomboy?

As is often the case when the Tomboy Stakes is run each spring at River Downs, the weather will play a role in who runs well and who doesn't.

The $50,000 Tomboy is scheduled for 1 1/16 miles on the turf, but has often been moved to the main track due to wet conditions. None of the 12 Ohio-bred 3-year-old fillies entered in the Tomboy has tried the turf, so it remains to be seen whether established dirt form or perceived turf ability will be the most useful handicapping tool.

The probable favorite regardless of surface is Money Card, a dominant winner of 2 of her last 3 starts, including an 8 1/2-length triumph in the Royal North Stakes at Beulah Park last month. Money Card, who last out won an Ohio-bred allowance at Thistledown by 5 1/2 lengths, is out of a mare by Red Ransom, which suggests she may take to the turf if necessary.

Fight Girl, a stakes-placed filly who has won both her starts at River Downs this meet, figures to be a stronger player should the Tomboy be switched to dirt. The same also goes for Tommeyesgold and Sybles Angel, one-two finishers in the Glacial Princess Stakes at Beulah last fall.

Should the Tomboy remain on the turf, the longshot Sarah Jane merits a look. She has by far the best turf pedigree in the field, being a daughter of Eclipse turf champion Northern Spur out of a mare by the European star Lear Fan.