Stageplay stands out in Rachel Alexandra
RACE REPLAY IS NOT AVAILABLE
NEW ORLEANS – Steve Asmussen has won the race now known as the Rachel Alexandra Stakes four times in the last 11 years, and if Stageplay improves upon her winning 3-year-old debut last month in the Silverbulletday Stakes, there probably is no stopping Asmussen from annexing a fifth.
Stageplay won her first two starts impressively last fall but could not reach the pacesetting Carina Mia after chasing her from the start over sloppy going in the Golden Rod Stakes at Churchill Downs. Carina Mia looks like one of the top 3-year-old fillies in the country, though, so there was no shame in that loss, and Stageplay bounced back to action this year with an assertive 1 1/4-length victory in the Silverbulletday on Jan. 16.
“She’s very talented,” Asmussen said. “She came from Todd Quast at GoldMark Farm with a very high recommendation, and she’s been obvious every day she’s been in the barn.”
Eight other 3-year-old fillies are entered in the Grade 2, $200,000 Rachel Alexandra, including a second Asmussen filly, Royal Obsession, and it looks like the field could stay intact. The connections of debut sprint winner Shaken are considering a first-level allowance race instead of the Rachel Alexandra and won’t make a final decision on running until Saturday. Finley’sluckycharm was entered in an Oaklawn allowance race that failed to fill and probably stays in this race.
The 1 1/16-mile Rachel Alexandra, race 9 on the card, has proved an extremely productive race the last two seasons in particular. Eclipse Award finalist I’m a Chatterbox and Kentucky Oaks winner Lovely Maria both ran in 2015, and champion Untapable won the 2014 edition.
The presence of stretch-out sprinters Finley’sluckycharm and California shipper Forever Darling figures to ensure a fast-paced race.
KEY CONTENDERS
Stageplay, by Curlin
Last 3 Beyers: 82-82-83
◗ On Beyer Speed Figures, Stageplay will have a hard time losing the Rachel Alexandra: The four figures she’s earned in her career all are higher than any single figure her opponents have run.
◗ Jockey Florent Geroux said after the Silverbulletday that Stageplay, having already made a winning move on the far turn, was not bearing down hard through the homestretch, and she still won comfortably.
◗ Asmussen has been working her in company with the good colt Gun Runner, who starts in the Risen Star, and Stageplay has held her own.
◗ Should get a great trip stalking a fast, contested pace.
Midnight on Oconee, by Midnight Lute
Last 3 Beyers: 80-72-76
◗ She’s been improving steadily the last few months for trainer Larry Jones, who won this race last year with I’m a Chatterbox, a filly like Midnight On Oconee who came to Fair Grounds unheralded.
◗ Made the lead and set a decent pace before giving way to Stageplay in the Silverbulletday but stayed on gamely with the winner. “We kind of had to do the dirty work last time, and this time we’re going to have some real pacesetters in front of us,” said Jones. “That’s good for her.”
Royal Obsession, by Tapit
Beyers: 63-72
◗ Twice was purchased for more than $1 million and has started her career with two wins, though she has yet to run fast. Tracked a dawdling pace while wide last time in a one-mile race short of what Asmussen believes will be an ideal distance. “This is a good stepping-stone for her for 1 1/8-mile races, where we feel where her future is,” he said.
Loveable Lyss, by Big Brown
Last 3 Beyers: 72-80-77
◗ Scored two impressive wins at this meet before running below her best form, finishing fourth in the Silverbulletday. She appeared to resent being held up off the pace that day and came out of the race with a case of the thumps, a hiccup-like condition that might have affected her performance.