Turf sprint a pivotal race for March On

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – How she fares Sunday at Churchill Downs will determine the immediate future of a filly named March On.

“We’ll see if March On will march on to Fair Grounds,” trainer Brad Cox said.

March On, by War Front, typifies the modus operandi of the Miller Racing Inc. of Myron Miller of West Palm Beach, Fla. Miller acquires fillies and mares with high-end pedigrees with the intent of improving their race record and ultimately their residual value.

March On, claimed for $40,000 in June 2015, will break from the outside post in a field of seven fillies and mares sprinting five furlongs on turf in the ninth of 10 Sunday races, a $63,000 second-level allowance. First post is 1 p.m. Eastern.

March On breaks from the outside post, and Cox said he expects her to “run big.”

“She’s had a really good summer,” said Cox, whose 128 wins and $5.4 million in stable earnings in 2016 are career highs. “Sprinting on the turf has helped her.”

Trainer Wesley Ward is represented in the allowance race by the uncoupled duo of Lamontagne and Equation.

One other allowance (race 5) is on tap for Sunday, a $60,000 first-level allowance. Breaking Bread figures as a solid favorite for trainer Al Stall Jr. when she faces six other fillies and mares at seven furlongs on the main track.

After Sunday, Churchill goes dark for two days before the final five-day stretch of the 21-day fall meet commences Wednesday.

KEY CONTENDERS

March On, by War Front

(Last 3 Beyers: 80-44-79)

◗ Each of her last three races going short on turf have been terrific, as she has won two of those and was defeated in a photo in the other.

◗ Among the numerous Miller acquisitions to flourish are Kiss to Remember, a recent winner of the Grade 2 Chilukki at Churchill, and multiple graded winner Call Pat, trained by Cox.

Lamontagne, by Congrats

(Last 3 Beyers: 80-84-78)

◗ This well-traveled gray filly won back-to-back turf sprints this summer at Belmont Park and Del Mar and probably will come favored here. She breaks from post 4.

Equation, by In Summation

(Beyers: 82-68)

◗ This 3-year-old filly is undefeated in two starts, but she is stepping up in class.

Paint the Corners, by Tizway

(Last 3 Beyers: 77-82-84)

◗ Exiting longer turf races for trainer Tony Granitz, this filly will have leading jockey Corey Lanerie looking to save ground before launching a late bid.