Snappy Girl looks to defend title in Tellike Stakes

OPELOUSAS, La. – Snappy Girl is back to defend her title in Friday night’s $60,000 Tellike Stakes at Evangeline Downs. The 5-year-old Louisiana-bred mare will square off against 10 rivals in the five-furlong dash on turf. The Tellike will go as the ninth race on the 10-race program.

Snappy Girl parlayed her win in last season’s Tellike into a solid third-place finish against males in the inaugural running of the $300,000 Evangeline Downs Turf Sprint about seven weeks later. The daughter of Student Council added a victory in a $43,000 allowance race at Remington Park later in the summer. In all, she tallied four wins and three second-place finishes from 11 starts in 2014.

Although she has made only one start this year, an unplaced effort in the Premier Matron Stakes at Delta Downs in February, Snappy Girl has shown signs in the morning of regaining her top form for trainer Karl Broberg. She worked a sparkling four furlongs in 46.80 seconds over the main track last week as she prepares to return to her favorite surface Friday. The move was the fastest of 25 at the distance that morning.

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Key contenders

Snappy Girl (Last 3 Beyers: 63-79-77)

* Although she won last year’s edition while helping to set the pace, she also has been successful from a stalking position, which might come in handy in a field loaded with early speed.

* The Broberg-Colby Hernandez combo continues to be the hottest thing going. Together, the two have clicked at a remarkable 55 percent (62 starters, $3.15 return on investment) dating back to last season.

Afternoon Tango (Last 3 Beyers: 55-80-81)

* Scheduled to make her turf debut Friday. Her sire is 11 percent with his turf firsters (25 for 238). Two of her four siblings have dabbled on the turf, and neither hit the board in three combined starts.

* She is being reunited with former riding champ Diego Saenz, who is heating up a bit with a three-bagger last Saturday, including the stakes for this trainer. He seems to get a lot of run out of her, as they are 3-3-0 the last 1 1/2 years from just six starts.

Lady Grantham (Last 3 Beyers: 59-73-55)

* Narrowly missed in her first turf attempt last time and is a rare closer, which is a good fit in this speed-laden group.