NEWS
Sara Louise headlines strong field for Top Flight Handicap
Posted: Wednesday, November 25, 2009 4:57 PM
SARA LOUISE
Adam Coglianese/NYRA photo
by Pete Denk
Sara Louise, who finished fourth in the Sentient Jet Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint (G1) at the Oak Tree at Santa Anita Park meet on November 6, will try to regain her winning form in the $150,000 Top Flight Handicap (G2) at Aqueduct on Friday.
The three-year-old Malibu Moon filly will carry high weight of 118 pounds in the Top Flight, a one-turn mile on Aqueduct’s dirt track that drew a field of nine fillies and mares.
Owned by Godolphin Racing, Sara Louise is famous for defeating Rachel Alexandra in the 2008 Pocahontas Stakes (G3) at Churchill Downs. Rachel Alexandra turned the tables on Sara Louise in the Golden Rod Stakes (G2) on November 29, 2008, at Churchill and won her next eight starts during a historic 2009 campaign.
Sara Louise did not make her three-year-old debut until August 29 at Saratoga Race Course, where she won the Victory Ride Stakes (G3) by two lengths. That victory was followed by a head loss to two-time champion Indian Blessing in the Gallant Bloom Handicap (G2) at Belmont Park on September 26.
Justwhistledixie, another prominent three-year-old filly, returns for the first time since finishing second in the Acorn Stakes (G1) on June 6 at Belmont for owners West Point Thoroughbreds, Lakland Farm, and R. Dee Hubbard. That defeat snapped a five-race win streak that included victories in the Davona Dale (G2) and Bonnie Miss (G2) Stakes at Gulfstream Park.
Porte Bonheur, winner of the seven-furlong First Flight Handicap (G2) at Belmont on June 28, stretches out to a mile for the first time. Spritely, second by a nose in the First Flight, won the 1 1/16-mile Quick Mischief Stakes at Belmont on October 1 in her most recent start.
Pete Denk is sales editor of Thoroughbred Times
