'Spectrum' clearly one to beat

GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas - Full Spectrum became a shorter price for Saturday's $50,000 Miller Lite Stakes at Lone Star Park on Thursday morning when her chief rival, Distinctive Code, was declared from the race.

A foot abscess will keep Distinctive Code from running for an undetermined period, although her trainer, Larry Robideaux Jr., is hopeful she might be able to make the $50,000 Suthern Accent at Louisiana Downs July 12.

The Miller Lite is for fillies and mares at five furlongs on turf. It drew a field of nine, including My Meow, who is shooting for her fifth straight win after winning the local prep for the Miller Lite, Southern Tour, Cauy, and Super Wager.

Full Spectrum has won three of her last five turf sprint starts, and should be favored in the Miller Lite on the strength of her dominant 2 3/4-length win last out in the $100,000 Mamzelle at Churchill Downs May 1.

That race came at five furlongs on turf, and since then, Full Spectrum's connections have been on the lookout for the right race for the filly.

"These type of races sprinting for fillies and mares on the grass are not abundant, so you really have to choose your spot carefully," said Tom Amoss, who trains Full Spectrum for Phoebe Mueller Trust.

"We were looking at a race at Pimlico for her, but it was a little quick back, and we decided to wait for the [Miller Lite]."

Gerard Melancon has the mount on Full Spectrum.

Full Spectrum could be stalking the quick Cauy. In the local prep for the Miller Lite, which was moved to the main track and run in the mud because of inclement weather, Cauy dueled through torrid fractions before finishing second, missing by a neck to My Meow.

"I thought she ran huge," said Bret Calhoun, who trains Cauy for Carl R. Moore Management.

Eddie Martin Jr., who had been booked to ride Distinctive Code, picked up the mount on Cauy.

* Letithappencaptain, who won the $50,000 Wafare Farm Stakes here April 19, moves back to turf for the sixth race, which serves as an allowance prep for the $100,000 Walmac Lone Star Oaks at 1 1/16 miles July 4.

The last time Letithappencap-tain ran on turf she won the $100,000 Sarah Lane's Oates at Fair Grounds March 29. She faces other stakes winners in the race, including Lady Mallory and Page Me Later.