Tampa Bay Downs: Montana Native debuts for Clement in Wayward Lass

OLDSMAR, Fla. – Montana Native has won three of her last four outings, including the $200,000 Remington Park Oaks in her final start as a 3-year-old. She moves to trainer Christophe Clement’s barn for her 2014 debut Saturday in the $50,000 Wayward Lass Stakes.

The 1 1/16-mile Wayward Lass drew a field of 14 fillies and mares, 12 of whom will be permitted to start.

Montana Native will be making her first start since September. Last season, she ran five times between January and April with mixed results for trainer Ken McPeek. She was then freshened for two months and came back sharp at Churchill Downs to win an optional-claiming route. Encouraged by that effort, McPeek took Montana Native to Saratoga, where she dueled through much of the $100,000 Broom Dance – a nine-furlong restricted stakes – before pulling away late.

Jumped up considerably in class for the Grade 1 Alabama, Montana Native was a pace factor for seven furlongs before fading to last in the 1 1/4-mile classic.

In her final outing as a 3-year-old, Montana Native used her good speed to lead throughout the Remington Oaks, digging in gamely in the stretch to hang on for a nose decision over Gold Medal Dancer.

Montana Native has been training forwardly at Palm Meadows for Clement. Fernando De La Cruz will ride.

Marty Wolfson has three entrants in the Wayward Lass, topped by Malibu Red, who is coming off a solid second in the $100,000 Maryland Racing Media Stakes at Laurel Park. That runner-up effort to seven-length winner Ilikecandy followed a sharp winning effort at Laurel. Malibu Red has steadily improved since moving to the Wolfson barn last fall.

Wolfson also has Gamay Noir in the Wayward Lass. Gamay Noir, claimed for $100,000 three races back, drops to an easier level after finishing fifth in the Grade 2 Sabin Stakes.

Ian Wilkes has a pair of runners in the Wayward Lass. Gigglin Girl will be shooting for her third straight win while making her first stakes start, while Ambusher moves to a middle distance after finishing third to Risky Rachel in both the Manatee and Minaret stakes here.

Dress the Part also will be shooting for her third straight win as she comes off a short break and tries two turns for the first time at the current stand.

Giant Cats Eye has a win and a second from her last three starts at Gulfstream Park since moving to the Eddie Plesa barn. She bears consideration in a race that shapes up as a wide-open betting affair.