Sassy Princess gets another two-turn dirt try
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Sassy Princess may have been no match for Lost Horizon when she tried two turns on dirt for the first time three weeks ago. But there does not appear to be anyone the quality of Lost Horizon when Sassy Princess takes another crack at two turns in Friday’s first-level allowance feature going 1 1/8 miles at Aqueduct.
Sassy Princess made 12 of her first 13 starts on turf, including winning at nine furlongs on turf at Churchill Downs when in the barn of Brendan Walsh. Trainer Amelia Green, who claimed the mare for $35,000, ran her twice on dirt before Ilkay Kantarmaci claimed Sassy Princess for $17,500 in November with obviously a winter dirt campaign in mind.
Sassy Princess has been racing in starter allowance company since, with a win and a second from three starts. Her last effort on Feb. 14 was solid when trying open first-level company for the first time.
“I wish I had a little more time because I claimed her at the bottom and I was waiting for a starter allowance but this race came up a short field so let’s do it,” Kantarmaci said.
In her last start, Sassy Princess made all the pace before being overtaken by 3-5 favorite Lost Horizon. Though she finished 5 1/4 lengths back in second, she did finish 3 3/4 lengths clear of third-place finisher Minnesota Munny, who is back in this spot on Friday.
Sassy Princess figures to be on or close to the lead, depending on what Kendrick Carmouche opts to do on Otherpeoplesmoney, who beat New York-bred first-level allowance types in her most recent start on Feb. 12.
“If somebody really wants to go, we don’t fight with them. She can come from off the pace too, she doesn’t have to be in front,” Kantarmaci said.
Waveless, a daughter of Gun Runner, showed speed in her runner-up finish in this condition going a one-turn mile on Feb. 11. She has the outside post for her first try around two turns and will be ridden by the hot-riding Manny Franco.
Both of Linda Rice’s entrants, Just Music and Minnesota Munny, are both being offered for the optional $50,000 claiming price. Just Music came off a five-month layoff to win a $50,000 claimer by a half-length on Feb. 19.
Atras mulling plans for ‘Omoide’
Trainer Rob Atras knows he would like to get Komorebino Omoide back to the Steve Sexton Mile, a race on May 26 at Lone Star Park that the Japanese-bred son of California Chrome won a year ago. Atras just doesn’t know what route to take to get there.
Komorebino Omoide came out of his hard-earned victory in last Saturday’s Stymie Stakes in good order and Atras said Wednesday he and owner Perry Martin are considering multiple options for his next start. One of those options is the $100,000 Royal New Kent Stakes at Colonial Downs on March 14. Another is the Grade 2, $300,000 Carter at Aqueduct on April 4.
“The Carter, sometimes that race comes up tough, sometimes it comes up a short field with just one horse to beat,” Atras said.
Though Komorebino Omoide beat only two horses in the Stymie, he did put away a pace challenge from Phileas Fogg then held off a late challenge from Yo Daddy to win by one length.
“I just loved the way he did it,” Atras said. “They were setting a quick pace [running] against a very nice horse and held off another horse who I think is quality,” Atras said. “He had some more horse underneath him. He was a clear length in front, it’s not like he staggered to the wire.”
Komorebino Omoide earned an 86 Beyer Speed Figure.
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