Sorta Special goes in Ingrid Knotts Stakes for fifth time
A J Marie and Sandhill Lady figure to start as the top two choices Saturday in the $40,000 Ingrid Knotts at Arapahoe Park, but the story of the race is Sorta Special.
Sorta Special will be making her fifth consecutive appearance in the Ingrid Knotts. The mare, now 9, won the race in her first attempt at age 5. She then finished second at 6 and third at both 7 and 8. Sorta Special’s rivals Saturday will include her full sister, Special Task.
The Ingrid Knotts is a six-furlong race for fillies and mares bred in Colorado. It drew 11.
Ingrid Knotts Stakes (Race 8)
KEY CONTENDERS
A J Marie, by Songandaprayer
Last 3 Beyers: 61-62-43
◗ The defending champ in the Ingrid Knotts, she is making her first start since August. She won last year’s race in her second start off a layoff.
◗ A J Marie closed out 2015 with a runner-up finish in the $46,000 Spicy at Arapahoe. The two-turn race was won by Sandhill Lady.
◗ Tracy Hebert has the mount for Robert Schreiber and trainer Tyrone Gleason.
Sandhill Lady, by Oliver’s Twist
Last 3 Beyers: 61-59-61
◗ She has a recency edge on A J Marie as she last raced in December, finishing fourth in a $20,000 optional-claiming race at Turf Paradise. That race was a rare grass start for Sandhill Lady, and the race has become a key one. The winner and third-place finisher both returned in their next starts to capture optional-claiming races at Turf Paradise.
◗ David Cardoso has the mount for trainer Ty Garrett.
Sorta Special, by No Storms
Last 3 Beyers: 29-40-50
◗ She last raced in the Spicy and was sixth to Sandhill Lady.
◗ W.M. Hall trains both Sorta Special and Special Task, who is 4, for Lynda Hall. The sisters are out of the mare Special Mission.