Turf mare Miracle in May defies Father Time
At an age when most of her female contemporaries have long since retired from racing, the 8-year-old mare Miracle in May remains highly productive.
In four starts on turf this season at Mountaineer Racetrack, Miracle in May has collected three wins. After two so-so performances in races switched to the main track, Miracle in May figures to move forward with a return to her favorite surface for Tuesday night’s turf feature at Mountaineer.
A winner in 14 of 37 lifetime starts on grass, Miracle in May is the 8-5 morning-line favorite against seven other fillies and mares in a third-level optional $25,000 claimer at seven furlongs that goes as race 3 at 7:44 p.m. Eastern.
There are several runners in the lineup capable of knocking off the local queen of the turf, including Itsyesornoihavtogo, a winner in each of her last two starts; Kentucky shipper Limerick Lady, who may benefit greatly by shortening in distance; and Carolina Rosa, who runs for a tag for the first time in more than a year.
Race 3
KEY CONTENDERS
Miracle in May (Last 3 Beyers: 65-69-78)
Loren Cox-trained mare owns 10-for-16 record on Mountaineer’s turf course, including three wins since May. Runs for a tag for the first time since winning a seven-furlong optional $20,000 claimer going seven furlongs over yielding ground in early May.
Itsyesornoihavtogo (Last 3 Beyers: 74-65-57)
This 4-year-old filly has won her last two starts for trainer Eric Reed, who is hitting at a 27 percent clip this season locally. The two horses who finished directly behind her last time out in an optional $40,000 claimer at Ellis Park returned to run poorly in allowances at Kentucky Downs with respective Beyer Speed Figures of 60 and 29.
Limerick Lady (Last 3 Beyers: 50-77-76)
Beaten nearly 11 lengths by Itshesornoihavtogo at Ellis, but was only a length behind Miracle in May when they met at Mountaineer in June. Record indicates this 5-year-old mare prefers Polytrack, where she is 5 for 16, much more than turf, where she is just 1 for 6. On the plus side, she may appreciate the cut-back to seven furlongs, based on a good third in the spring going 6 1/2 furlongs at Keeneland and two wins in 6 1/2-furlong sprints last winter at Turfway Park.
Carolina Rosa (Last 3 Beyers: 66-72-65)
This 5-year-old mare runs for a claiming tag for the first time since July 2013. Won going seven furlongs locally three starts ago. She’s a threat to lead this group wire to wire as the controlling speed.