Sharp sprinters try two turns

ANDERSON, Ind. - Indiana-breds who are sired by registered Indiana stallions are the focus in Sunday night's pair of $40,000-added stakes. Both the Richmond Stakes for fillies and mares and the Gus Grissom for colts and geldings are carded at 1 1/16 miles.

Maggie's Dream is unbeaten in three starts this year but must stretch out in distance in the Richmond Stakes and face Amanda's Crown, a sharp sprinter who also is unproven around two turns.

Maggie's Dream won sprinting over open allowance company here Sept. 2 and has since captured the Madison County and Merrillville stakes, both at six furlongs. Jockey Alex Birzer's objective will be to ration Maggie's Dream's speed through the two turns of Sunday's race. She is trained by Stanley Roberts.

Amanda's Crown, a 3-year-old filly by Crown Ambassador, captured the six-furlong Vincennes on Oct. 4. She never got untracked as the stronger part of a 3-5 entry in the Oct. 25 Evansville at 1 1/16 miles. A big field and heavy fog that night may have played a part in her disappointing effort. Jose Martinez Jr. is named to ride for trainer Stephen Dunn.

One Eyed Jackie, trained by Calvin Prescott, is coming off a pair of solid efforts against allowance company at one mile and could take advantage if the top selections falter. Tommy Pompell will be aboard.

The Gus Grissom, carded as the seventh race, has lured a field of eight, including the Ray Stifano-trained entry of Whenthesmokeclears and last year's Grissom winner Special Express. The entry will vie for favoritism with the improving 3-year-old Restitution.

Restitution, a 3-year-old trained by Greg Foley, has registered a pair of wins here, including the William Henry Harrison Stakes on Oct. 6.

Although Restitution has raced only twice at two turns, the son of Crown Ambassador has beaten nearly everyone else in the field this year and should be able to lay just off the pace under jockey Mike Morgan.

J. D.'s Diamond is another top contender in the Grissom.