See How She Runs is fit after Canada trip

GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas - See How She Runs, who has won all five of her career starts, had her first breeze on Wednesday morning since winning the Grade 1 Selene May 20 at Woodbine, near Toronto, Canada. And she is now being pointed for the $150,000 Iowa Oaks at Prairie Meadows on July 3.

See How She Runs worked four furlongs in 48.60 seconds at her Lone Star Park base under regular rider Don Pettinger, and has done well since the Selene, a race for which she traveled from Texas to Woodbine.

"She's absolutely herself," said Donnie Von Hemel, who trains See How She Runs for Pin Oak Stable. "It's like nothing happened. This was the first time she shipped, and she handled the travel well. It's good to know that she fits right in wherever she goes."

See How She Runs rose to prominence this spring at Oaklawn Park. She won four races there, including the Grade 2 Fantasy over Lake Lady and Chamrousse, who returned in her next start to win the Grade 2 Black-Eyed Susan.

See How She Runs was one of two 3-year-old fillies Von Hemel developed for Pin Oak during the Oaklawn season.

The other, Grade 3 Honeybee winner Bedanken, is scheduled to return to training within the next 30 days after being freshened at her owner's farm in Kentucky.

"We'll be getting her ready for the fall," said Von Hemel.

Von Hemel, who during the fall is based at Remington Park in Oklahoma City, also plans to send a string of about 12 horses to Louisiana Downs in Bossier City, La., this year.

Other trainers who will be new to Louisiana Downs during its upcoming meet are Jack Van Berg, Stanley Roberts, Kenny Smith, and Ron Moquett.

Lots of options for Mercenary

Mercenary, third to Congaree last month in the Grade 3, $300,000 Lone Star Park Handicap at 42-1, is under consideration for one of three stakes: the $250,000 Dallas Turf Cup at Lone Star on June 15; the $75,000 Bob Johnson Memorial on dirt at Lone Star on July 14; or the Grade 3, $100,000 Hanshin Cup Handicap on dirt at Arlington Park on July 20.

"All those are options," said Bret Calhoun, who trains Mercenary for Coast to Coast Racing.

Mercenary fits in a lot of spots. The colt had been racing on turf on a regular basis with success in recent times, but Calhoun decided to switch him back to dirt for the Grade 3, $300,000 Texas Mile and he finished a troubled fifth after being slammed hard against the rail at the top of the stretch. Mercenary then ran third to Congaree.

"I do think he's a better dirt horse than grass horse," said Calhoun.

Back to turf for Desert Demon

Desert Demon returns to turf Friday night in the ninth race, a $50,000 optional claimer over 1 1/16 miles that also drew turf specialist Piranhurst, and the sharp Thunder Fish.

Desert Demon has not raced on turf since last fall, when he finished a close fifth to stakes winner Four on the Floor in a high claimer at Arlington Park. In his most recent start, he was a late-running third in a one-mile optional claimer. For the return to turf, Desert Demon worked a near-bullet four furlongs in 48.40 seconds. Gerard Melancon has the mount for trainer Cole Norman.

* Jockey Tim Doocy will make his first appearance of the meet Friday night when he rides Beyond Time in the second race, a one-mile turf maiden, for trainer Kenny Smith. Doocy has not ridden regularly at Lone Star since 1998.