She's My Niece ships in for first stakes try in Princess of Palms

PHOENIX, Ariz. – She’s My Niece invades Turf Paradise from Southern California for her first stakes assignment, leading a field of six in Monday’s $60,000 Princess of Palms. The 6 1/2-furlong event for 3-year-old fillies goes as race 3 on the eight-race card.

Owned by Kane Kachur and trained by Manuel Ortiz, the daughter of Hard Spun took a while to figure out things, but the light went on at Santa Anita Jan. 1 as she blasted maidens by 9 1/2 lengths. She was claimed for $32,000 that day and in two tries since against winners ran credibly, battling on the pace both times before ending up second Jan. 14 and fifth as the 2-1 favorite Feb. 11.

Another invader with credentials is New Mexico shipper Grease Missle. Owned by Jeremy Ramsland and trained by Bart Hone, the daughter of Clubhouse Ride romped by seven in her debut at Albuquerque Sept. 30, and was then third in a stakes there Oct. 14 (against males) and third in a stakes against peers at Zia Park Nov. 28. She dropped into a first-level allowance spot there Dec. 12 and won easily. This marks her first start since but she’s been working well at Santa Anita.

Bourbon Tiger, a daughter of Smiling Tiger owned by Dan Warden and Benjamin and Margaret Root and trained by Frank Lucarelli, may be the best local hope. She was stakes-placed at Emerald Downs last summer. She then ran credibly in three tries on Golden Gate’s synthetic track before coming here to easily win an allowance Feb. 13.

Stay Quiet is another Southern California invader. Owned and trained by Don Schnell this marks her first start since she was sixth in a stakes at Del Mar last Aug. 6.

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