Watch out for Puntsville in Brandywine Stakes

An Illinois-bred stands a good chance of winning the $75,000 Brandywine Stakes on Tuesday at Indiana Grand, but perhaps not the one you’d think.

The 5-year-old Illinois-bred Richies Sweetheart won the 2015 Brandywine at odds of 7-5. She figures to go to post well below her 5-2 morning line for trainer Larry Rivelli and jockey E.T. Baird.

But watch out for Puntsville. The Illinois-bred 4-year-old won the Polytrack stakes in which Richies Sweetheart laid an egg last month and might be even better suited to short turf sprints such as the five-furlong Brandywine. The Brandywine, race 8 on a 10-race card starting at 2:05 p.m. Eastern, drew nine entrants. Tuesday’s forecast is for clear skies, but rain was possible Monday night, and the course could come up wet.

This stakes is just three days after the Indiana Derby card, during which Puntsville’s trainer, Michele Boyce, could be found in the winner’s enclosure following the Illinois-bred Lovely Loyree’s upset win over the heavily favored Cash Control in the Indiana General Assembly Stakes. Puntsville also can pull a surprise.

KEY CONTENDERS

Puntsville, by Cashel Castle

Last 3 Beyers: 85-85-76

◗ Filly showed talent from her 2-year-old debut two summers ago, and her connections were fortunate no one dropped a $50,000 claim when Puntsville returned from a long layoff last spring. Her second start of 2015 was her most recent turf sprint, and in it she easily beat first-level allowance foes while earning a 95 Beyer Speed Figure.

◗ Boyce tried to make a miler out of Puntsville, but she proved far less effective around two turns and has won four in a row since being turned back to sprints last fall.

◗ Probably short of her best when winning the Isaac Murphy Handicap on June 11, her first start in more than six months, and came back to work an eye-catching five furlongs in 58 seconds on July 3 at Arlington.

◗ Has plenty of speed but can rate a touch, and she might have to with so much pace – including Richies Sweetheart – drawn to her outside.

Richies Sweetheart, by Bring the Heat

Last 3 Beyers: 50-97-80

◗ Easily beat males two back in the $75,000 Honor the Hero at Canterbury, has won eight of her 12 turf starts, and can be excused for her flop last out in the Isaac Murphy: The mare is not in love with Arlington’s Polytrack and was running back on very short rest.

◗ Won last year’s Brandywine over a yielding course, so Monday night rain wouldn’t hurt her.

◗ Tough as nails when able to set the pace and is the race’s most likely winner at a short price.

Late Spring, by Speightstown

Last 3 Beyers: 82-82-87

◗ She’s in excellent form, and in her most recent turf sprint, she finished second to Acapulco in the Unbridled Sidney at Churchill.

◗ Stalking style could play well if Puntsville and Storm Temple Pilot tangle early with Richies Sweetheart.