Will 121 pounds topple Topango?

Topango brings a 5 for 6 record on turf into Saturday's Lyrique.

Topango has managed to win her turf debut, her stakes debut off a long layoff, and races over three different courses. Yet she might be facing the toughest challenge of her career Saturday in the $50,000 Lyrique Handicap at Louisiana Downs.

The issue is weight. Topango is the 121-pound highweight in the 1 1/16-mile turf race for 3-year-old fillies, and she will be spotting her rivals from three to nine pounds.

Despite the significant spread, Topango looks tough to handle in the Lyrique. She has won two turf stakes at Louisiana Downs this meet alone, one of them following a nine-month layoff. Overall, Topango is 5 for 6 in turf races, with her richest victory coming in the $100,000 La Senorita at Retama Park at 2.

John Locke, who trains Topango for HSB Racing, has given the mount to E.J. Perrodin.

Outright Buck returns to racing against her fellow 3-year-olds after finishing a close second to Cherylville Slew last out in the $50,000 Sangue on turf at Louisiana Downs. She will get three pounds from Topango, and will break from the rail under Gerard Melancon.

John Jacinto will be aboard Merry Me in Spring, who was second by a length to Topango last out in the $50,000 Senorita at Louisiana Downs. Merry Me in Spring had won all three of her starts going into the Senorita.

Also in the 10-horse field is Kissmelikeumeanit, who has won her last three starts.

The Lyrique will produce starters for the Marie P. DeBartolo Oaks on the Grade 2 Super Derby undercard Sept. 25.