Saturday, June 4, 2011

Sister Act

With a quick look at the Churchill card, two fillies stand out, not only because of what they have or haven’t done, but because of who they are related to.

Churchill’s Dogwood Stakes (Gr.3) looks like the coming out party in stakes competition for Might, the full sister to Blame. She has been brought along slowly and methodically and is a head shy of being undefeated from 3 starts. She has a win at Churchill, and though she is the same body type as her famous brother, mentally she is a lot hotter than he was. Still, she looks to have a bright future.

In the 8th, a maiden race going a mile, is Afleeting Lady. By Afleet Alex, out of Oatsee, this is Preakness winner Shackleford’s older half sister.  Though she hinted at ability last year at Gulfstream, it hasn’t been pretty since then. In her next start at Belmont, in May, something went very wrong, and she was vanned off. After almost a year off, she returned and went to the turf at Gulfstream and experienced a troubled trip. After a short break, blinkers were added, and still nothing. Then a try on the poly at Keeneland, where she showed a little life, but faded.

Since her April race at Keeneland , she has had a trainer change to Romans and has worked 3 times at Churchill, with the last being a sharp 5/8ths, the  best of 19. Is this a sign of a turn-around? Does she deserve another chance? A look at her in the paddock might give us some clues.

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