Stakes Winner Wise Gal Tries Dirt in $50,000 Donna Freyer
Stakes Winner Wise Gal Tries Dirt in $50,000 Donna Freyer
Stakes-Placed Kitchen Fire Targets $50,000 Christopher Elser Memorial
LAUREL, MD – Eric J. Wirth homebred Wise Gal, already a stakes winner on turf, will test dirt for the first time as the horse to beat in Saturday’s $50,000 Donna Freyer Stakes at Laurel Park.
The Donna Freyer for 2-year-old fillies and the $50,000 Christopher Elser Memorial for 2-year-olds, both at six furlongs, are carded fifth and seventh, respectively, on a nine-race program that begins with a 12:30 p.m. first post.
Wise Gal is the lone two-time winner in the nine-horse field, both her victories coming over Laurel’s world-class turf course this summer. She is also only one to enjoy stakes success, romping to a 4 ¼-length score in the six-furlong Selima Sept. 16 for Laurel-based trainer Dove Houghton.
“I knew she was going to run good that day; I didn’t know she was going to run that good,” Houghton said. “She came into the race super and we were really happy with the way she was doing, so that was not a surprise. But, the way she did it was exceptional.”
The victory came five weeks after the bay daughter of Einstein, a multiple Grade 1 winner on turf, emerged from a stretch duel with a gutsy half-length triumph going 5 ½ furlongs in her mid-August unveiling, where she was overlooked at odds of 18-1.
“The first time we ran her I only ran her on the grass just because the race came up and I thought it would be a nice spot to start her where she wouldn’t get dirt and kickback in her face, because she struck me as the horse that would kind of sit back and make a run,” Houghton said. “Of course, Einstein was a turf horse and I knew it wouldn’t be an issue that she’d like it, but I didn’t feel that’s her only game.”
The only blemish on Wise Gal’s record came Nov. 4 in the Chesley Flower, a one-mile turf stakes at Aqueduct where she contested the early lead but faded to finish seventh. More than the distance, Houghton felt the circumstances compromised her filly’s chances.
“I think distance hurt us a little bit last time but we also shipped up twice for that race. We shipped up the week before we were ready to run, she was ready to roll, we were treated and then sent home because they canceled the card,” she said. “That took her off her game a little bit, it really did, so I think we have to throw that race out.”
Now, Houghton is hopeful Wise Gal can transfer her turf form to the dirt in what she said is likely to be the filly’s final start as a 2-year-old before the trainer looks to stretch her out next year.
“She’s been training super. She had a nice little blowout the other day and came out of it good, so she’s in great shape,” Houghton said. “She is a nice filly. She’s never run on the dirt and we’re anxious to see how she performs. She trains on it very well in the morning. I’m happy that we get to do it at home.”
Regular rider Steve ‘Cowboy’ Hamilton, aboard for all three of her starts, will ride Wise Gal from Post 4 at topweight of 122 pounds.
Stephen Landry and Lloyd Schwing Racing’s Dialin was second in the White Clay Creek Stakes Aug. 9 at Delaware Park behind Grade 3-placed Take Charge Paula, who came back to win the six-furlong Smart Halo Nov. 11 at Laurel. Horacio Karamanos will ride for trainer Kim Boniface from Post 2.
Also entered are Fanniebellefleming, sixth by 2 ¼ lengths in the Maryland Million Lassie Oct. 21; Greasedlightning, Matty’s Magnum, maidens Grecian Dancer, Scatback, Kapalua Starlight and first-time starter Off My Stage.
Stakes-Placed Kitchen Fire Targets $50,000 Christopher Elser Memorial
Facing a field where seven of his 10 rivals are maidens and only one other has faced stakes company, The Elkstone Group’s stakes-placed homebred Kitchen Fire takes two wins and the benefit of experience into the $50,000 Christopher Elser Memorial.
Based at historic Pimlico Race Course with trainer Ron Potts Jr., Kitchen Fire will carry highweight of 120 pounds including jockey Ricardo Chiappe from Post 9 in his second straight dirt race after making his first five starts over the synthetic surface at Presque Isle Downs this summer and fall.
Last time out, the bay First Defence gelding was fractious at the starting gate, forcing jockey Daniel Centeno to dismount at one point, and then chased the early leaders for a quarter-mile before winding up last of six in the James F. Lewis III Nov. 11 at Laurel.
“He wasn’t real good in the gate. He kind of banged Danny up a little bit,” Potts said. “He got off and was limping around a little bit behind the gate. He’s spent a lot of time in the starting gate since, schooling.
“He ran kind of up into contention going around the turn and Danny said when he got the dirt in his face he kind of backed out and ran a little green, so he didn’t really get after him much. I know the colt is a lot better than that,” he added. “He’s shown some class running at Presque Isle with several of the better 2-year-olds that they had up there, so I’m going to toss that one out and plan on a big race from him on Saturday.”
Potts said he doesn’t expect to change tactics with Kitchen Fire and get him involved earlier to avoid taking as much dirt, preferring to give him a target to chase.
“When he gets in the clear he gets a little keen so I would like him to be behind a couple horses if he’s not fighting the kickback because when he does get clear he gets a little hard to rate,” Potts said. “I would prefer him to be close up but with a little cover so he’s not trying to run off on Chappy.”
Third in the six-furlong Mark McDermott Stakes against fellow Pennsylvania-breds Sept. 3, Kitchen Fire won his July 17 debut and captured a 6 ½-furlong open allowance Sept. 18, making him the only double winner in the field.
“Experience always helps,” Potts said. “Having a dirt race at Laurel is definitely a plus. Being a horse that’s faced winners and beat them before definitely bodes in our favor.”
Chinquapin is a maiden winner over the Laurel turf that ran sixth in the Maryland Million Nursery Oct. 21 for trainer Hamilton Smith, while Dale Martin’s Loves Last Dash is the only horse with a win over Laurel’s main track.
Completing the field are Love Doctor, Jumpmaster, Rudy’s Boy, Grandtap N Va Rvf, Alex’s Stand R V F, Hidden Funds, Whirlin Curlin and Final Blessing.
