Zarb's Miss Cutie seeks 3rd straight win

BOSSIER CITY, La. - Even though there were 13 races carded for Louisiana-breds on Saturday's Champions Day program, there were enough Cajun-breds left over to put together a solid feature in Sunday's featured fourth event. A field of seven fillies and mares will go a mile on the turf in quest of a $30,000 purse.

Zarb's Miss Cutie, who is riding a two-race win streak for owner Maggi Moss and trainer Pat Mouton, goes for the hat trick in the optional claiming race, in which she is eligible to be claimed for a $16,000 tag. The current win skein began in early July with a furious rally from well back off a legit pace, and it was her first win in nine tries over the local course. She won in similar fashion two weeks later as the 6-5 favorite and will likely be the favorite again on Sunday. E.J. Perrodin, as usual, will be in the saddle.

Sudie's Fancy Girl, a tiring third in an entry-level allowance for statebreds in only her second try on the turf in her most recent start, appears poised to possibly take advantage of the lack of pace in Sunday's headliner. Sudie's Fancy Girl will be ridden by Luis Quinonez, who has had a race to get acquainted with the Jerry Cart-trained runner. They are a force to be reckoned with up front.

Zarb's Starlet, who finished right behind Sudie's Fancy Girl when they met two weeks ago, seeks to improve in just her third start of the year for the dangerous Ray Spencer barn. Zarb's Starlet won her grass debut at age 3 last year and showed marked improvement in her most recent start after Spencer added blinkers to her equipment. Don Simington has a return engagement in the saddle.

The wildcard of the group is Sarah Gracie. Yet to try the turf, this lightly raced filly has a pair of in-the-money finishes at Sunday's distance on the main track at Evangeline Downs since beginning her career in March.

Trainer Maynard Chatters has shipped up from his southern Louisiana base with a couple of live ones earlier in the summer.

Jose Riquelme has been given the call to ride.