Speed Seeker looks too classy for Saturday allowance foes

OLDSMAR, Fla. – Speed Seeker, who has raced with graded stakes competition in her last four starts, should appreciate the drop into optional allowance company on Saturday. A 3-year-old filly, Speed Seeker faces older competition for the first time in Saturday’s 1 1/16-mile turf race.

One of two runners in the field trained by Joan Scott, Speed Seeker has made all five of her starts on grass. She won at Woodbine in June at first asking, then was shipped to Saratoga where she finished fifth, beaten less than three lengths, in the Grade 2 Lake George Stakes. Brought back to Woodbine, the Heatseeker filly rallied from well off the pace and swept by the leaders to win the Grade 3 Ontario Colleen Stakes going 1 1/16 miles.

In her two most recent starts, Speed Seeker finished seventh over a soft Keeneland course in the Grade 1 Queen Elizabeth and eighth in the Grade 2 Mrs. Revere at Churchill.

Two Wonders has won five of her last seven outings. Trained by Jamie Ness, she rallied inside through the stretch most recently for a length win, and her third from as many starts over the local course. Two Wonders has won 7 of 11 starts this season.

With a Twist comes into the race with a second and win in her last two starts, while Indygo F M A, who also hails from the Scott barn, goes for her second straight win at the meeting.

KEY CONTENDERS

Speed Seeker (Last 3 Beyers: 81-77-95)

◗ She appears to have a distinct class edge over the rest of the field.

◗ She has two strong drills over the main track, including a bullet five-furlong move of 59 flat on Dec. 6.

◗ Scott-trained runners have been first of second in 4 of 8 starts this meeting.

Finura (Last 3 Beyers: 76-61-62)

◗ She is a $180,000 yearling purchase who is making her second start since April.

◗ She was a big price against tough optional-claiming types at Gulfstream Park West in her last start, and rallied for fifth.

◗ Her trainer, Efren Loza Jr., is winning at 40 percent rate this meeting and 34 percent this year.

Two Wonders (Last 3 Beyers: 77-72-64)

◗ She had traffic problems in her only two defeats in her last seven starts.

Starry Eyed Kate (Last 3 Beyers: 73-73-72)

◗ She makes first start since being claimed by Bernell Rhone for $16,000 Sept. 6.

◗ She hasn’t been beaten more than 1 1/2 lengths in her last five starts.