FAIR GROUNDS:
EIGHTH RACE – Although the trouble line makes no mention of it, Shishito was jostled and pinched back at the start in her debut in mid-October and actually did well to finish second while almost nine lengths clear of the rest in a highly-rated race two-turn all-weather affair at Presque Isle Downs. She seems certain to benefit from the outing, and as a daughter of Wooten Bassett from a mare by Monjeu figures to move up a ton with the switch to grass in this maiden event for juvenile fillies. She’s also a first-time Lasix user for hot trainer Michael Stidham, and with a healthy recent local work pattern and sporting the top speed figure in the field, she looks quite playable in the win pool and in the various rolling exotics at 5/2 on the morning line.
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GULFSTREAM PARK:
TENTH RACE – We’ve been able to view a series of workouts on xbtv.com dating back to July at Saratoga by Avow and believe she has enough natural talent to win a maiden special weight sprint for juvenile fillies, even though we suspect she won’t show her best form until given a chance over a distance of ground. A $300,000 yearling from the first crop of Arrogate, she’s from the good middle distance stakes winning grass mare Peace Preserver, so while she’s probably not a quick type, trainer Todd Pletcher barn has been scorching hot during the early days of the Gulfstream Park championship season and has given this filly the proper foundation a be fit and ready. After proving much the best in a team drill gate drill six days ago at Palm Beach Downs without being asked, and at this extended sprint distance that will allow here to settle early and take hold late, we’re expecting a winning effort and therefore recommend a play at or near her morning line of 2-1.
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