The 3-year-old filly Cloudwalker needs two things to win the $100,000 Pan Zareta Stakes on Saturday at Fair Grounds: Racing luck and pace in front of her.
The two variables intertwine. The faster the pace of a race, the more the field spreads, opening gaps for a one-run closing turf sprinter like Cloudwalker to find her way home. On paper, the 5 1/2-furlong Pan Zareta, for older fillies and mares, boils over with pace. If it all shows up, and if Cloudwalker can pull a trip like she got last month winning a Keeneland allowance, the Pan Zareta could be hers.
“She’s in good form. We’ve had this race in mind for a while now,” trainer Brendan Walsh said.
Fourteen were entered in the Pan Zareta, which can accommodate a dozen starters. Bosserati, Moonlit Lady, and Ever So Sweet, all drawn inside, have displayed dedicated front-running tendencies.
“I think she kind of needs to clear off to win,” said Ever So Sweet’s trainer, Brad Cox, who could’ve been speaking about the other pace players as well.
Rail-drawn Bosserati has held a first-call lead in her last five races, all turf sprints. Moonlit Lady set a scorching pace two back at Keeneland, leading until the final jump, when Cloudwalker mowed her down. Cloudwalker got one chance at route racing, on Sept. 13 at Aqueduct. No dice. This is a one-run sprinter.
“She just didn’t stay. I thought she was very impressive at Keeneland,” Walsh said.
Declan Cannon rides Cloudwalker for the first time. The 8-1 morning line is set too high.
Accomplished Girl won a rich Aug. 29 Kentucky Downs allowance racing on the lead going 6 1/2 furlongs, her first start for trainer Steve Asmussen. She regressed in the Grade 2 Franklin Stakes at Keeneland, then led and faded to fourth in a dirt try last out. Her win chance depends on harnessing her early speed, stalking the leaders.
“I think she’s capable of sitting off it,” Asmussen said.
Asmussen at least will entertain the notion Accomplished Girl didn’t care for the sand-based Keeneland grass course. All I Want Is You did, going last to first while beating eight allowance rivals in her most recent outing. Accomplished Girl handled her at Kentucky Downs, post 12 complicates matters for All I Want Is You, and she’s priced too low at 4-1.
Hollywood Walk and Alla Breve, neither impossible, invade from the East Coast. Trainer Lindsay Schultz might have found something with Cecile, cutting her back from routes to finish a close fourth over six furlongs in the Floral Park at Aqueduct. Off Ramp finished second last out to All I Want Is You, beaten just a half-length. Cupids Crush can contend if her grass-route form translates to sprints. Faccia Bella merits her 30-1 morning-line odds. And Cloudwalker, with pace and luck, can run them all down again.
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