Sharp on dirt, Native Annie attempts turf

Native Annie hasn't had any racing luck in her turf starts, but given how sharp she is right now, it's no surprise her connections will give her another shot on grass Saturday night in the $40,000 Tomball Stakes at Sam Houston Race Park.

Native Annie has the added benefit of running against Texas-breds in the 1 1/16-mile turf race for fillies and mares. She is tough to get past given her sharp form, having won three of her last four starts, including a pair of stakes for fillies and mares bred in Texas.

Native Annie will be returning to turf for the first time since Aug. 28, when she finished sixth in the Hatoof at Arlington Park. She was anxious in the gate, and had the misfortune of catching a soft course that appeared to work against her. In her other turf start, she was seventh in an optional claimer, having been taken up in the stretch in the one-mile race at Arlington.

Native Annie gets pedigree support for the turf as a daughter of Manzotti, and her last work suggests she is coming into the Tomball in good order. She drilled four furlongs in 48 seconds. Corey Lanerie has the mount for trainer Michael Stidham.

Shons Secret should be sharp for the move to two turns after finishing third against open company last out in the CyFair at Sam Houston. She was a close fourth in her lone turf start and goes to bat for a hot barn, as trainer Ralph Irwin has won with 40 percent of his starters this meet. Don Simington has the mount.