Turf fillies tune up for Allen LaCombe Memorial

NEW ORLEANS – Nine 3-year-old fillies will be running Sunday in a turf allowance serving as a prep for next month’s Allen LaCombe Memorial Stakes at Fair Grounds.

The race, for nonwinners of two turf races at the meet, will be contested at about 7 1/2 furlongs, the same distance as the LaCombe on March 7.

Divine Dawn, coming off a fifth-place finish, 11 lengths behind stablemate I’m a Chatterbox, in the Silverbulletday Stakes on dirt, looks like the filly to beat. She and White Clover give trainer Larry Jones a strong pair in this event.

Race 6

KEY CONTENDERS

Divine Dawn (Last 3 Beyers: 75-71-79)

◗ She’s 1 for 1 on turf, having defeated first-level optional $50,000 claiming rivals at this distance in December. Her only loss in three starts came in the Silverbulletday.

◗ With five fillies whom Jones considers stakes-caliber in his barn, he isn’t necessarily looking at the LaCombe for Divine Dawn, though that race is among several possibilities.

“We figure if nothing else, we could use another race before the grass race,” he said.

Save Our Oceans (Last 2 Beyers: 67-33)

◗ This Steve Margolis trainee is coming off a victory against maidens at about a mile on turf in her second start. She made a strong late run, and it appears that there will be enough pace in this race to set up her rally.

“She’s a big, long-legged filly,” Margolis said. She’s definitely a route horse.”

White Clover (Last 3 Beyers: 55-77-61)

◗ Jones tried to get her on turf in a maiden race earlier in the meet, but the race, which she won, was switched to dirt. In her last start, she ran second at six furlongs on dirt to the talented Harbour Island.

Mizz Money (Last 3 Beyers: 69-40-12)

◗ Bernie Flint trainee led all the way at about 5 1/2 furlongs on turf in her return from a six-month layoff, and she might be the one to catch as she tries two turns.