Woodlands: On Safari back

The $20,000 Miss Kansas City at the Woodlands on Saturday could serve as kind of a homecoming for On Safari. A year ago, she won the track's $20,000 Kansas Oaks. On Safari now returns to take on fillies and mares in the Miss Kansas City, a 1 1/16-mile race that also drew multiple stakes winner Vannacide.

On Safari has been facing tougher rivals in Chicago. She exits the $120,000 Indian Maid at Hawthorne on Sept. 29. On Safari finished ninth in the turf race after encountering significant trouble at the start. Before that, she was fifth in the Grade 3 Arlington Matron and won a $62,500 optional claimer, both at Arlington Park.

Robert Stout trains the filly, and has given the mount to Alex Birzer.

Of the five other starters, the chief threat appears to be Vannacide, winner of 3 of her last 4 starts. The Miss Kansas City will be her first race since a 7 1/2-length romp in the $35,000 Spicy Handicap for Colorado-breds at Arapahoe on Aug. 12.

Ken Shino has the mount for trainer Kenneth Gleason.