Roses for Debra returns to the site of her first stakes victory achieved two years ago when she ships into Erie, Pa., for the Sept. 20 $300,000 Presque Isle Downs Masters Stakes (G2). The Masters, the jewel of Presque Isle Downs' five-month race meet, is held over the 6 1/2-furlong distance on the synthetic main track for fillies and mares 3 years old and up.
Cheyenne Stable and John O'Meara's Roses for Debra is no stranger to Presque Isle, having broken her maiden there as a 3-year-old before capturing the Malvern Rose Stakes against state-bred company. Since then, the Pennsylvania-bred has earned significantly more than her $25,000 purchase price, dashing to scores in the 2023 Caress Stakes (G3T) and Smart N Fancy Stakes, and this year's Giant's Causeway Stakes (G3T). In her last two starts, the daughter of Liam's Map failed to catch Future Is Now in the June 7 Intercontinental Stakes (G2T) and Smart N Fancy Stakes Aug. 23, however, with that rival missing from the entry box, the Masters could be the race that propels Roses for Debra back into the winner's circle.
Trained by Christophe Clement, 5-year-old Roses for Debra will carry the co-high weight of 125 pounds in her farthest trip since her Malvern Rose win. She'll also get the services of leading rider Irad Ortiz Jr., who flies into town to pilot the filly for their eighth consecutive race together.
Roses for Debra's stablemate, Gal in a Rush, will also shoulder 125, giving 5-11 pounds to the rest of the field. Racing for the partnership of West Point Thoroughbreds, Chris Larsen, and Titletown Racing Stables, Gal in a Rush exits a scintillating last-to-first score in the Hendrie Stakes (G3) at Woodbine two starts back. The Ghostzapper 5-year-old registered a 102 Equibase Speed Figure in her first graded win. She then suffered a neck defeat when stretching to seven furlongs in Woodbine's Seaway Stakes (G3) Aug. 24.
Dylan Davis has the call.
Receiving seven pounds from the Clement runners is the 3-year-old Nice as Pie. The Tapiture filly cuts back in trip after just missing in the May 31 Penn Oaks for trainer Kelsey Danner. A homebred for owner Dede McGehee, Nice as Pie is 2-for-2 in one-turn stakes over the synthetic, notching wins earlier this year at Turfway Park in the Vadale and Serena's Song stakes.
Presque Isle local Kevin Rice has two entered for the Masters in She's Fire, 3-for-6 and a stakes winner over the oval, and Heaven Rules, winner of a first-level allowance contest here last time out.
Sunday Shoes, trained by Wesley Ward, rallied to land Presque Isle's traditional prep for the Masters in the Aug. 19 Satin and Lace Stakes and returns for the main event.
The nine-horse field is completed by British listed stakes winner Pandora's Gift, who makes her stateside debut for owner/trainer Stuart Williams, Baby No Worries, and Jill Jitterbug.
Presque Isle Downs, Friday, September 20, 2024, Race 9Entries: Presque Isle Downs Masters S. (G2)
PP Horse Jockey Wgt Trainer M/L 1 1Sunday Shoes (KY) Rafael Manuel Hernandez 120 Wesley A. Ward 10/1 2 2Roses for Debra (PA) Irad Ortiz, Jr. 125 Christophe Clement 9/5 3 3Jill Jitterbug (KY) Pablo Morales 118 Colleen Walsh 12/1 4 4Baby No Worries (KY) Antonio A. Gallardo 118 Tim Girten 12/1 5 5Heaven Rules (KY) Addiel J. Ayala 118 Kevin Rice 20/1 6 6Nice as Pie (KY) Adam Beschizza 118 Kelsey Danner 5/1 7 7Pandora's Gift (IRE) Ben Curtis 116 Stuart C. Williams 6/1 8 8Gal in a Rush (KY) Dylan Davis 125 Christophe Clement 5/2 9 9She's Fire (KY) Israel O. Rodriguez 114 Kevin Rice 12/1
