Nineteen stakes victories and more than $2.1 million in earnings have made Free Like a Girl one of the most successful Louisiana-breds in history, but a graded stakes victory has remained elusive. She aims to check that box Jan. 25 in the $300,000 Houston Ladies Classic Stakes (G3) at Sam Houston Race Park.
The 6-year-old daughter of El Deal has proven herself among the best with placings in both the Apple Blossom Handicap (G1) and La Troienne Stakes (G1) last spring. The 1 1/16-mile distance returns her to a preferred two turns after running fourth in a Louisiana-bred sprint last month. She is 6-1 on the morning line for trainer Chasey Pomier, who co-owns the mare with Gerald Bruno Jr. and Jerry Caroom.
Likewise, Jeffry and Julie Puryear's Miss Code West has dominated in her native state of Oklahoma and is taking her first step into graded company, having placed twice at the listed level for trainer Kevin Scholl.
One of those defeats was against Full of Fun Racing Two and Madaket Stables' Alpine Princess in the Sept. 29 Remington Park Oaks. The Classic Empire filly was a 9 3/4-length winner off a six-month layoff and bounced back to run a close second in the Nov. 30 Comely Stakes (G3) at Aqueduct Racetrack. She is the 9-5 favorite for trainer Brad Cox.
Other contenders include grade 2 winner Hoosier Filly and a trio of Steve Asmussen trainees led by stakes winner Our Pretty Woman, who returns from a seven-month layoff.
Entries: Houston Ladies Classic S. Presented by PENN Women (G3)
Sam Houston Race Park, Saturday, January 25, 2025, Race 9
- Grade III
- 1 1/16m
- Dirt
- $300,000
- 4 yo's & up Fillies and Mares
- 5:00 PM (local)
| PP | Horse | Jockey | Wgt | Trainer | M/L |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1Recharge (KY) | Ben Curtis | 118 | Steven M. Asmussen | 20/1 |
| 2 | 2Our Pretty Woman (KY) | Isaac Castillo | 118 | Steven M. Asmussen | 7/2 |
| 3 | 3Our Davina (KY) | Lindey Wade | 116 | Scott E. Young | 30/1 |
| 4 | 4Alpine Princess (KY) | Manuel Franco | 118 | Brad H. Cox | 9/5 |
| 5 | 5Hoosier Philly (KY) | Edgar Morales | 118 | Thomas M. Amoss | 3/1 |
| 6 | 6Free Like a Girl (LA) | Freddy Jose Manrrique | 118 | Chasey Deville Pomier | 6/1 |
| 7 | 7Miss Code West (OK) | Floyd Wethey Jr. | 118 | Kevin Scholl | 12/1 |
| 8 | 8Flashy Lass (KY) | Stewart Elliott | 118 | Steven M. Asmussen | 8/1 |
| 9 | 9Kara (KY) | Iram Vargas Diego | 116 | Matt Hebert | 30/1 |
