Juddmonte's Sightseek, undefeated in four starts at Belmont Park, is the heavy favorite against four rivals when she returns in the $300,000 Ruffian Handicap (gr. I) Sunday.
In her most recent start, the 5-year-old daughter of
Distant View finished second to Azeri by 1 3/4 lengths in the 1 1/8-mile Go For Wand (gr. I) at Saratoga Race Course Aug. 1.
After passing on a rematch with the champion in the 10-furlong Personal Ensign Handicap (gr. I), trainer Bobby Frankel found a much easier spot for Sightseek in the 1 1/16-mile Ruffian.
Sightseek enjoyed her largest payday in winning last year's $750,000 Beldame (gr. I) at Belmont and has also won back-to-back runnings of the Ogden Phipps Handicap (gr. I) there.
Miss Loren, upset winner of the Clement L. Hirsch Handicap (gr. IIT) at Del Mar Aug. 8, came alive for her first win in her United States career at odds of 34-1.
Multiple stakes winner Class Above, recently moved to trainer Kiaran McLaughlin from Bob Baffert's barn by owner Padua Stables, tries older foes for the first time. She carries 108 pounds, 14 less than the top-weighted Sightseek.
$300,000 Ruffian Handicap (gr. I), fillies & mares 3 & up, 1 1/16 milesPP. Horse, Jockey, Weight
1. Pocus Hocus, Jose Santos, 113
2. Bounding Charm, Edgar Prado, 113
3. Sightseek, John Velazquez, 122
4. Miss Loren, Jon Court, 117
5. Class Above, Fernando Jara, 108
