Talent converges from all over for Purple Martin Stakes

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – It’s an eclectic lineup for the $150,000 Purple Martin Stakes for 3-year-old fillies on Saturday at Oaklawn Park.

Bye Bye J is back in her native Arkansas for the six-furlong race after being based at Gulfstream Park. Splashy Kisses, who ran in last year’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies, and Tomlin, who has been chasing Bellafina, both have invaded from Santa Anita. Taylor’s Spirit, a three-time stakes winner, and Break Even, who is 2 for 2 after a perfect meet at Fair Grounds, invade from Louisiana to take on a list of local contenders that includes the super-quick Lady T N T.

“It’s a nice field of fillies,” said Ron Moquett, who trains Bye Bye J.

KEY CONTENDERS

Bye Bye J, by Uncaptured
Last 3 Beyers: 86-84-83

◗ She was bought by Alex and JoAnn Lieblong after a runner-up finish in the Grade 3 Forward Gal on Feb. 2 at Gulfstream. She’s made one start since, winning an Arkansas-bred allowance for fillies and mares March 14 at Oaklawn.

“We followed the filly for a while before we were able to get the deal done,” said Moquett. “The last connections were real instrumental in helping us with her. There was not as much time needed to try to figure her out because they gave us what they were doing with her. That was very helpful, and so we were able to get in a race.”

◗ Bye Bye J defeated older rivals and stakes winners in the local allowance, winning off by 8 1/4 lengths.

“The last race was her first time seeing Arkansas-bred company,”’ said Moquett.

◗ Ramon Vazquez has the mount on Bye Bye J, who might get an ideal stalking trip from post 4.

Lady T N T, by Justin Phillip
Last 3 Beyers: 73-63-79

◗ She made her Oaklawn debut last out, setting a quick pace and finishing second by a neck in the $100,000 Dixie Belle on Feb. 16.

“She showed a little versatility last time when she got passed and came back in the stretch a little bit,” said trainer Joe Sharp. “It opened up her options.”

◗ Corey Lanerie, who had teamed with Lady T N T for a first-level allowance win last year at Churchill Downs, has the mount from post 3.

“We’re looking forward to running her,” said Sharp. “She’s training fantastic.”

Lady T N T worked five furlongs in a sharp 1:00.60 for owners Scott and Evan Dilworth on March 17 at Oaklawn.

Taylor’s Spirit, by Algorithms
Last 3 Beyers: 69-71-69

◗ She’s cutting back to one turn for the first time since July, and she’s 2 for 2 at the configuration. Taylor’s Spirit was a 13 3/4-length debut winner in a maiden special weight sprint at Prairie Meadows last summer, then won the Prairie Gold Lassie at six furlongs there July 20.

◗ She’s returning to racing with straight 3-year-olds after finishing second by a neck against fillies and mares in a Delta Downs allowance March 8.