Three-filly entry looks tough to beat

ANDERSON, Ind. - A dozen 2-year-olds, including a three-horse entry from trainer Barb McBride, are set for Thursday's fillies division of the $40,000 Indiana Stallion Stakes at Hoosier Park.

McBride's entry of will likely be favored in the six-furlong race, with any of the trio capable of winning. Northern Lady won the restricted Hoosier Silver Cup. She was sixth in the Miss Indiana Stakes and also sixth in the City of Anderson Stakes. Detailed has been runner-up to her stablemate in their two meetings, the Silver Cup and in a maiden race in September.

Jose Camejo will ride Spencerina, who breaks from post 4, while Northern Lady and rider Billy Patin will break from post 8. Detailed drew post 11 and will have Jose Delgado aboard.

The biggest threat to the entry should come from Dixie Dell, who will try to break her string of third-place finishes in stakes company. Trained by James Riddle, she was most recently third in the Miss Indiana on Nov. 11 to Spotless Mind and Lil Broad Tee and also finished third to that pair in the City of Anderson on Sept. 30.

The absence of Spotless Mind and Lil Broad Tee, who do not qualify for this Indiana-sired race, leaves Dixie Dell a solid contender Thursday. Martin Escobar will ride from post 7. Dixie Dell's biggest obstacle will be traffic, as Escobar will need to pick his way through the speed-laden field with her late run.

The Indiana Stallion Stakes is carded as the ninth on an 11-race card with a special Thanksgiving Day post of 11:15 a.m. Central. Hoosier Park will close out its season Friday with first post at 6:10 p.m.