Ti Township gets more ground

Ti Township will have to overcome a handful of new shooters Saturday night when he defends his title in the $50,000 Red Earth at Remington Park. The 7 1/2-furlong turf race for Oklahoma-breds drew 12 horses, including Grade 3-winning filly Peach Brew and Southern California invader Skedee.

Ti Township was third in a $17,500 optional claimer at five furlongs on turf at Louisiana Downs in his last start Aug. 8, closing from next to last in the field of 12. It was the same kind of turf sprint he finished third in a year ago in his final start before the Red Earth.

"He's doing great, coming into the race super," said Allen Milligan, who trains Ti Township. "It was his style race last time. He was really picking it up down the lane. I think he's better going five-eighths. Going seven and a half, he'll just be a little closer to the pace. He'll let the speed go, sit back, and hopefully run them down down the lane."

Cliff Berry has the mount on Ti Township, who races for Coby Tresner and Charles Jennings.

Peach Brew, the 2009 winner of the Grade 3 Arlington Oaks, last raced in Chicago, finishing sixth in an $80,000 optional claiming race on turf July 2. Skedee was sixth in her last start, too, a March 3 allowance at a mile on turf at Santa Anita. The winner of that race, You Lift Me Up, came back in her next start to take the $50,000 Work the Crowd at Golden Gate.