Shisospicy Returns in Unbridled Sidney Stakes

While the Kentucky Oaks (G1) will receive the majority of the attention May 1 at Churchill Downs, there is another leading lady who will definitely steal some of the spotlight. Shisospicy, the reigning champion female sprinter, returns to the races for the first time since her blowout victory over males in the Nov. 1 Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (G1T) at Del Mar. The fleetfooted 4-year-old daughter of Mitole is among a field of nine fillies and mares entered in the 5 1/2-furlong Unbridled Sidney Stakes (G2T) on the turf. With Irad Ortiz Jr. in the saddle, Morplay Racing's Shisospicy drew post 6 and is the 9-5 morning-line favorite. Morplay became the sole owner of the Jose D'Angelo-trained filly when it bought her back for $5.2 million at Fasig-Tipton's The November Sale after her Breeders' Cup win, dissolving the partnership with Qatar Racing. The gray or roan filly would have been seen earlier this year had it not been for an infection she contracted while preparing for a trip to race in the 1351 Turf Sprint (G2T) in Saudi Arabia in mid-February. D'Angelo said April 28 that he expects the filly to be fully ready for her assignment in the $500,000 Unbridled Sidney. "I'm very confident about her this Friday," the trainer said. "She's a very special horse. These good horses make your job easier. Of course, I'm sure like every horse, the hardest race is coming off the layoff or running as a first-timer. But we prepared her very well, and she responded. We've brought her to the gate. She has enough gallops, so she's going to be all right." Shisospicy likes to let it roll on the front end, but also has shown the ability to sit off her rivals. Given the length of time between races, though, she figures to be blazing out of the gate. SoCal shipper Queen Maxima appears to be Shisospicy's most formidable opponent. Last year, the daughter of Bucchero showed her supremacy in the Unbridled Sidney while winning the turf sprint by 3 1/2 lengths under Juan Hernandez, who has the mount here for trainer Jeff Mullins. The leading Arkansas-bred of all time, Haulin Ice, has been cross-entered by Saffie Joseph Jr. in both the Unbridled Sidney and the May 2 Derby City Distaff Stakes (G1) at 7 furlongs on the main track. She's only raced once on turf, finishing second to fellow rival here, Moon Spun, and is 4-1 in the Distaff versus 6-1 in Friday's race. The Brian Lynch-trained Moon Spun looks to rebound off an eighth-place finish as the favorite in the Captiva Island Stakes on Tapeta at Gulfstream Park in March. Outside that effort, the Hard Spun mare has been fairly consistent, but will have to step it up against the likes of Shisospicy and Queen Maxima. The Wesley Ward-trained Shoot It True has been cross-entered in an April 29 allowance optional claimer where she is 7-5 on the morning line. Completing the field are Mae Town, Buttercream Babe, Time To Dazzle, and Creed's Gold.