Violet conflicts with Noble Damsel

Decisions, decisions, decisions.

Several trainers will have to choose between the $150,000 Violet Handicap, Friday's feature at The Meadowlands, and Saturday's $100,000-added Noble Damsel Handicap at Belmont Park, for their filly and mare turf runners.

The Grade 3 Violet drew a field of 12, plus four also-eligibles. Nine of the horses in the main body of the race are also nominated to the Grade 3 Noble Damsel, which was to be drawn Thursday.

Babae and Stylish, whose connections are also looking at the mile Noble Damsel, are the co-highweights at 119 pounds in the Violet.

If they start in the 1 1/16-mile Violet, Babae and Stylish, who are based at Belmont Park, are the top choices.

Babae's trainer, Frank Alexander, has expressed a desire to run in the Noble Damsel at the filly's preferred distance. He also wished for an inside post for Babae, who drew well in post 4 in the Violet.

Jorge Chavez has been named to ride Babae, a winner of two starts this year, including the Grade 3 Just a Game Breeders' Cup at Belmont on June 8.

Stylish, trained by Bill Mott, last ran in the Spicy Living at Rockingham and finished second as the favorite behind Calista, who returned to win a stakes in Canada earlier this month. Stylish has already shown an affinity for The Meadowlands turf course by winning an allowance race by two lengths a year ago at the Violet distance.

Jerry Bailey has been named to ride Stylish, who drew inside of Babae in post 3.

Wander Mom has run several game races this year, but also has been unlucky. She was denied her only win this year in the Powder Break Stakes at Calder in April when she was disqualified for interference and placed second. Wander Mom is coming off a sharp third behind Amonita and Watch in a tough Saratoga allowance race and might have found the right spot to break through with a win.

Trainer Eddie Plesa Jr. has given the mount on Wander Mom, who drew the rail, to Aaron Gryder.

Platinum Tiara set an uncontested pace before tiring and finishing third in the 1 1/8-mile Matchmaker at Monmouth on July 7 and should be helped by the shorter distance here. Earlier this year, she won the 1 1/16-mile Hillsborough Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs.

Platinum Tiara must gain early position from her outside post 12. Tommy Turner rides.

High Lady, 2 for 4 this year, has lost each of her five turf starts at The Meadowlands.