Rizzi's Honors tries to be first in family to win on turf

Rizzi’s Honors will attempt to be the first from her immediate family to win on turf Monday, when she starts as the probable favorite in the featured ninth race at Lone Star Park.

The first-level allowance is for fillies and mares at five furlongs on the grass. The field of 12 includes Lady Gwen, who is coming off a close third-place finish at this same level, and Blingin’ Rose, a turf-sprint specialist and multiple winner over the course at Lone Star.

Rizzi’s Honors leads the field in earnings and also ranks as its co-winningest member with five career victories. The record, along with a runner-up finish in a June 3 dirt allowance at Lone Star and form from Santa Anita could send her to post favored Monday.

But the lingering question is turf – and it’s not necessarily the surface trainer Robertino Diodoro is targeting with Rizzi’s Honors.

“We’re kind of limited on options, thought this was a good time to try it,” he said.

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“I am concerned that it might not be quite far enough. At the same time, hopefully she gets a good pace to run at. I’ve seen a lot of horses come out of left field on the grass going five-eighths.”

Rizzi’s Honors is by With Distinction, who was winless on turf in one attempt and who is getting 10 percent winners on the grass. Rizzi’s Honors is out of the mare Runaway Rizzi, who was winless on turf in five attempts and who has not yet produced a turf winner from three foals to race on the grass. They include Rizzi’s Honors, who in her lone turf attempt in 2017 ran seventh in an optional-claiming sprint on the downhill course at Santa Anita.

Ramon Vazquez has the mount Monday from post 3 for M and M Racing.

Lady Gwen will break from the rail one start after she was beaten just a half-length at this level June 1 at Lone Star. She was favored while making her first start since March. Lindey Wade was aboard and again has the mount for trainer Brent Davidson.

Blingin’ Rose has registered her three wins on turf and like Rizzi’s Honors figures to be making her case in the later stages. Alfredo Contreras has the mount for trainer Mindy Willis, who had a stakes double on June 14 at Lone Star.

The card Monday is the start of an extended stretch of racing at Lone Star. The live action continues Tuesday and Wednesday this week and includes a special card Saturday. Lone Star also will resume Sunday racing after a one-week absence. That card will be followed by Monday and Tuesday programs June 29-30. There will be no racing on Wednesday, July 1.