Regal Glory gets the nod in Ladies Turf Stakes

A talented cast of eight will travel one-mile on the Kentucky Downs lawn in Saturday’s $500,000 Ladies Turf (G3).

Ladies Turf Analysis

#1 Mitchell Road will take command a few jumps out of the gate, with #3 Tapit Today and #6 Regal Glory tracking her to the top of the lane. I don’t expect a very swift early tempo.

Ladies Turf Contenders

#1 MITCHELL ROAD (8-1) -- Grade 3 queen draws well inside and will be a forward presence for Mott. Bay daughter of English Channel ran second in the affair last season, and I will draw a line through her last that came over a soft turf course at Ellis Park. Top-three contender will have Saez in the silks.

#2 PRINCESS CAUSEWAY (15-1) -- Wilkes pupil is 2-for-2 on the surface and can’t be ignored at a nice price. 4-year-old filly is not especially consistent, but her affinity for Kentucky Downs makes her interesting. Chris Landeros will be in the irons.

#3 TAPIT TODAY (5-1) -- One of two from the Brown shedrow was a solid fourth in the Matchmaker (G3) at Monmouth Park in her first appearance since February. Lightly raced mare is obviously talented, and she could challenge for the top prize with expected improvement on Saturday. Castellano has the assignment.

#4 ENGLISH AFFAIR (6-1) -- Rusty Arnold trainee didn’t fire in her lone previous run locally, and while she was a stakes winner in her latest performance, the chestnut capitalized on the soft turf. Grade 3 heroine might appreciate more ground and I will let her beat me in the Ladies.

#5 FROND (20-1) -- Longshot has a consistent turn of foot and exits a third-place result in the Ladies Preview S. at Ellis Park for Colebrook. Yes It’s True chestnut will need a lifetime best to challenge this field late, however.

#6 REGAL GLORY (9-5) -- Top pick has knocked heads with some of the top turf distaffers in training and looks especially tough in this affair. Animal Kingdom filly has been first or second in eight of her 10 lifetime tries, and the Grade 2 vixen also possesses very good tactical speed to give Jose Ortiz options throughout the race. Kentucky-bred looms large with her best effort.

#7 LADY APPLE (6-1) -- Multiple graded heroine will make her turf debut on Saturday for Asmussen. Daughter of Curlin surely has class to her, but this is a very demanding spot for a first try on the weeds. Santana will be up.

#8 SECRET MESSAGE (4-1) -- Win contender from the Motion barn is a Grade 2 heroine who comes off a fine prep when third in the Perfect Sting S. at Saratoga. Hat Trick mare sports a 3-2-1-0 mark at the distance, and she will be in the mix late if she takes to the unique course on Saturday. John Velazquez will be in the controls.

Ladies Turf Wagers

• $1 Superfecta: 6 with 1,3,8 with 1,3,8 with all ($30)
• $1 Superfecta: 6 with 1,3,8 with all with 1,3,8 ($30)