(from Keeneland report)
Bruce Lunsford's talented 4-year-old filly Madcap Escapade will face six other fillies and mares in the $200,000 Vinery Madison (gr. III) at seven furlongs to be run Wednesday at Keeneland.
A Kentucky-bred daughter of Coolmore stallion Hennessy, Madcap Escapade has been nearly perfect in her six-race career, tasting her only defeat in the Kentucky Oaks (gr. I), her last race of 2004. The Frank Brothers trainee returned to the races in the Shirley Jones Handicap (gr. II) at Gulfstream with an easy victory Feb. 19.
Certain to be the heavy post-time favorite, Madcap Escapade, who won the Ashland (gr. I) last spring at Keeneland, will be ridden by Jerry Bailey.
Madcap Escapade's chief rival on Wednesday might be the Steve Asmussen-trained Souris. On a four-stakes winning streak, the blocky daughter of Defrere most recently captured the Spring Fever Stakes at Oaklawn Park. Possessing a big finishing kick, she should be flying in the stretch. Jockey Robby Albarado will don the famous light and dark green blocks of Nelson Bunker Hunt.
Carl F. Pollard's My Trusty Cat can be counted upon for a top effort. The David Vance trainee exits a facile victory over allowance foes at Oaklawn. She narrowly missed winning the Thoroughbred Club of America Stakes (gr. III) at Keeneland last fall when fellow Vinery Madison (gr. III) entrant Molto Vita beat her three-quarters of a length. John Velazquez has the mount.
$200,000 Vinery Madison Stakes (gr. III), fillies & mares 4 & up, 7 furlongs
PP. Horse, Weight, Jockey
1. Souris (KY), 117, Robby Albarado
2. Josh's Madelyn (KY), 123, Justin Shepherd
3. My Trusty Cat (KY), 117, John R. Velazquez
4. Bending Strings (KY), 123, Edgar S. Prado
5. Molto Vita (KY), 119, Rafael Bejarano
6. Revolutionary Act (KY), 117, Billy Charles Patin
7. Madcap Escapade (KY), 123, Jerry D. Bailey
Madcap Escapade returns to Keeneland in Wednesday's Vinery Madison.
