Kentucky and
Ohio-based trainer Joe Woodard sent a small division of runners to Calder
Casino & Race Course for the first time this summer owned by Louisville car
dealer Billy Hays and his family, and they have more than held their own,
highlighted by the accomplishments of 3-year-old filly Sookie Stackhouse.
A roan/gray
daughter of Red Bullet, Sookie Stackhouse was a $16,000 claim here on Aug. 26 and has
won twice with a second and a fourth since then, and will be the horse to beat
in Friday’s starter/allowance feature with Juan Leyva aboard for the first time
in the six-furlong test. ‘Sookie’ rallied from last of five to win an
optional/allowance going away last out on Oct. 29.
Sookie Stackhouse
faces seven rival fillies and mares, including Cairoli Racing’s 3-year-old
Devilish Lady, a five-time stakes winner for trainer Antonio Sano since being
claimed for $16,000 here last
September and will be ridden Friday by jockey Joe Bravo, recently
arrived for the season from Monmouth
Park.
A daughter of
Sweetsouthernsaint, Devilish Lady scored her biggest victory in the $150,000
Azalea Stakes (G3) on Summit of Speed day on July 9 this summer, but will need to do
better than her fourth-place effort last out behind Sookie Stackhouse.
Completing the
field for Friday’s feature are Wayne DeCosta’s Truly Classy, Karla Wolfson’s
Wyatt’s Women, Juvenal DeSantiago Hernandez’ La Torera, Farnsworth Stable’s Peaceful
Town, Platinum Esquestian’s Bessie M and Charles Lo’s Golden Phoenix.