What’s On Track: Bounceback Opportunities Abound over a Stakes Filled Weekend

TORONTO — By Matthew Lomon

Shanahan Adjacent

Though nowhere near Kyle Shanahan territory, Sierra Leone is on the comeback trail after squandering a late lead last time out. The 3-year-old colt has the opportunity to avenge last December’s Remsen defeat (G2) this Saturday at Fair Grounds in the $400,000 Risen Star (G2).

Climbing from tenth to lead Dornoch by a head in the stretch run, Sierra Leone gave it all he had but couldn’t close the deal, dropping a nose behind his foe to second in the $200,000 affair.

While an unfortunate ending, this was only Sierra Leone’s first attempt at the graded level and second race overall. Perhaps this valuable learning experience will pay dividends in the Risen Star, as the talent is clearly there.

Always in Contention

Although 0-for-2 since capturing last September’s Pocahontas (G3) at Churchill Downs, V V’s Dream has yet to miss the podium through five career starts. The consistent 3-year-old filly can climb back atop the leaderboard this Saturday in the $300,000 Rachel Alexandra Stakes (G2) at Fair Grounds.

On the surface, a second in the Darley Alcibiades (G1) and a third in the Rags to Riches (Listed) seems fairly impressive.

However, for a horse of V V’s Dream caliber, it’s rather disappointing.

Sent off as the closing line favorite in both contests, including 1-5 in the Rags to Riches, the Kentucky-bred failed to deliver on her high billing.

That said, there’s still tremendous appeal to a competitor that can finish inside the top three and have it be considered a “poor performance.”

Return to Form

It’s been somewhat of a rollercoaster ride for Smile Happy lately, but the Kenneth McPeek trainee is no stranger to the big time. The 5-year-old is hoping to turn that frown upside down in this Saturday’s $250,000 Mineshaft (G3) at Fair Grounds.

Recent finishes of fifth (Grade 1 Stephen Foster) and sixth (Grade 3 Louisiana) overshadowed last May’s Alysheba (G2) win for Smile Happy, which he won by two lengths at 7-1. Despite the cold stretch, the Kentucky-bred still owns a very respectable 4-2-1 line in 10 career starts, good for a top-three strike rate of 70%.

A win on Saturday would give Smile Happy his third career graded stakes score.

Third Time’s the Charm?

Well-traveled mare Prodigy Doll is set to try the $200,000 Barbara Fritchie Stakes (G3) for the third time this Saturday at Laurel Park. If the section heading didn’t already give it away, she’s 0-for-2 so far.

The stakes winner with two dozen races under her belt is still chasing the elusive title of Barbara Fritchie champion, which if successful this time around, would also grant Prodigy Doll her first win at the graded tier.

It will be a tall task going against the likes of Intrepid Daydream, who reeled off four consecutive wins, including three stakes, before jumping up a level last December. The 5-year-old mare is 0-1-0 in two graded starts, finishing second in the Sugar Swirl (G3) and fourth in the Inside Information (G2).

Prodigy Doll enters at 20-1, and Intrepid Daydream at 2-1.

Graded Goals

Stronghold is trending in the right direction ahead of Sunday’s $400,000 Sunland Park Derby (G3) in New Mexico. Positioned as what could be the colt’s first graded stakes triumph, the Sunland is a 1 1/16-mile dirt event for 3-year-olds.

Entering the contest on the heels of consecutive second place finishes in the Bob Hope (G3) and Los Alamitos Futurity (G2), Stronghold is primed for a breakthrough performance at 5-2. A podium regular at 1-3-0 through four starts, the Antonio Fresu mount will need to fend off 3-1 rival Informed Patriot to get over the hump.

Running to three straight thirds, Informed Patriot has landed in the top three in 80% of his starts (1-0-3 in five attempts).

These two appeared destined for a meeting at the finish line.