Splash of Roses drops into allowance

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. - The combination of class and seasoning that Splash of Roses possesses might give her an edge over seven other 3-year-old fillies in a first-level allowance Thursday at Oaklawn Park. The six-furlong race drew five fillies coming off maiden wins, while Splash of Roses is moving back into the overnight ranks after representing herself well in stakes company last fall at both Ellis Park and Louisiana Downs.

Others making up the field for the eighth race include Denali Glitter, a daughter of the quick race mare Spanish Glitter who is adding Lasix, and Lorettine, a last-out maiden winner whose dam is Grade 1 winner Confessional.

Splash of Roses comes off a productive 2008, having finished third in both the $50,000 Anna M. Fisher Debutante at Ellis in August and the $150,000 Happy Ticket at Louisiana Downs in September. She will be cutting back to one turn for her first start since November.

"I think she'll be all right sprinting," said Randy Morse, who trains Splash of Roses for Richard Hessee. "She's pretty much shown up every place we've run her."

Splash of Roses won her maiden at five furlongs at Prairie Meadows last June and went on to put up her best Beyer Speed Figure, a 62, in the Happy Ticket, at 1 1/16 miles on turf. She ran on the grass one more time after that race, closing out her 2-year-old season with an uncharacteristic eighth-place finish in the $100,000 La Senorita at a mile on turf at Retama Park on Nov. 1.

"Last time at San Antonio, the jock said she didn't care for the turf course at all," Morse said. "We sent her to the farm for a while after that. Since she's been back, she's been training really well, breezed really well the other day. She's doing good."

Morse looks for Splash of Roses to make her bid in the later stages. She will break from post 5 under leading rider Terry Thompson.

Pterodactyls Rule owns the field's best Beyer, a 72, for her two-length maiden win at Canterbury in her last start July 19. She shows a strong series of five-furlong works at Oaklawn.

"She's ready to run," trainer Mac Robertson said. "She's worked well over the track, and usually if they work good at Oaklawn, they run good at Oaklawn. Hopefully, she will, too."

Chris Emigh has the mount Thursday.