Shisospicy, Dreamaway Renew Rivalry in Mamzelle
A rematch of last month's Limestone Stakes could resurface in the $225,000 Mamzelle Stakes (G3T) for 3-year-old fillies May 10 at Churchill Downs. The first through fourth place finishers in the Mamzelle, Shisospicy, Dreamaway, Abientot, Me Governor, and It Ain't Two (GB) (finished in a dead-heat for fourth with Me Governor), all of whom finished within a length apart of each other at the wire, return in Saturday's Mamzelle. The winner of the Limestone was Morplay Racing's speedy filly Shisospicy. Trained by Jose D'Angelo, the daughter of Mitole has been undefeated in two starts since switching to the turf, achieving both wins in front-running fashion. In Keeneland's Limestone, contested over the same 5 1/2 furlongs of the Mamzelle, Shisospicy carved out wicked early fractions before outlasting Dreamaway by a half-length at the finish. With regular rider Irad Ortiz Jr. riding in New York this weekend, his brother Jose Ortiz gets the call. Dreamaway, trained by Wesley Ward, drew inside of Shisospicy (post 9) this time and will be breaking from the 6 hole with jockey Joe Bravo aboard. At the front by the first pole in every one of her prior starts, the Flameaway filly was outgunned by Shisospicy for the lead in the Limestone, but it'll be interesting to see if she can establish the advantage this time with a better post. The third and fourth-place finishers in the Limestone also have a fair chance to turn the tables on Saturday. Tracy Farmer's Abientot, a grade 3 winner last fall, closed from far off the pace to get up for third in the Limestone for trainer Mark Casse in her first start since November. Danbro Farms' Me Governor, trained by Carlos David, was a nose behind her in fourth, after being forced seven-wide down the lane. British-bred stakes winner It Ain't Two also rallied to dead heat for fourth in her North American debut for Resolute Racing and trainer Riley Mott.