Watsdachances tries to shake off rust in Gallorette
[bc_video_id:324566:]BALTIMORE – Watsdachances has performed well on the big stage before, having finished second in the 2012 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf. She’ll have a chance to strut her stuff Saturday before another huge crowd on Preakness Day at Pimlico, although she might be doing so at a disadvantage.
Watsdachances was assigned the outside post in a field of 10 fillies and mares in the Grade 3, $150,000 Gallorette Handicap, a 1 1/16-mile turf race in which the 4-year-old filly will be making just her second start in the last eight months.
“We gave her a nice rest at the farm, and she has filled out nicely,” said trainer Chad Brown, who has sent the filly through nine official workouts since early March. “We’re really looking forward to getting her year started.”
Watsdachances, accustomed to racing in Grade 1 and Grade 2 events, would appear to have a class edge, but the layoff clearly makes her vulnerable to the opposition with more recency. Javier Castellano has the call.
Among those able challengers are Embarr (post 2, Forest Boyce), a winner in 4 of 5 career starts over the Pimlico turf; Somali Lemonade (post 3, Luis Saez), a multiple graded stakes winner exiting a sharp allowance victory over the Keeneland turf; Strathnaver (post 7, Joel Rosario), a distance specialist who could be closing best of all down the stretch; and Starstruck (post 9, Kerwin Clark), a consistent Larry Jones-trained mare with considerable stakes experience.
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Two others, Surtsey (post 1, Luis Contreras) and Lady Ten (post 6, Julian Pimentel), are in the same proverbial boat as Watsdachances in that they have talent aplenty but will be returning from extended layoffs.
Brenda’s Way, Daydreamin Gracie, and Triple Arch complete the lineup.
There is only a six-pound top-to-bottom weight spread (117 to 111 pounds).
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This will be the 63rd running of the Gallorette, which is named for the Hall of Fame mare who won 21 races in the 1940s. It goes as the ninth race (post time 4:04 p.m. Eastern) and starts a pick four wager that ends with the Preakness.