Iron County Farms' Bare Necessities is looking to repeat her winning performance in Saturday's $200,000 Gardenia Handicap (gr. III) going 1 1/8-miles at Ellis Park. Bare Necessities took the 2003 edition by scoring an impressive 5 1/4-length win and paying just $2.80 to become the shortest price in the race's 22-year history.
This year, the 5-year-old daughter of
Silver Deputy will be looking for her first win since scoring a three-length victory in the Paseana Handicap back in January at Santa Anita. Most recently, the Frank Kirby-trained mare finished third in the Molly Pitcher Breeders' Cup Handicap (gr. III) and was second in the Fleur de Lis Handicap (gr. II). Bare Necessities was previously trained by Wally Dollase.
Bare Necessities is listed at 7-5 and will break from the outside in post six under jockey Rene Douglas.
Giving Bare Necessities a strong challenge will be the Bill Mott-trained Miss Fortunate. The daughter of
Deputy Minister won the local Ellis HPBA prep on July 10. Miss Fortunate finished second in the Wild Rose Stakes at Prairie Meadows.
Brian Peck has the mount aboard Miss Fortunate, who will break from post five. The Summer Wind Farm-trainee is listed at 7-2 on the morning line.
The field for Saturday's $200,000 Gardenia Handicap (gr. III) includes:
1 -- Angela's Love (Mark Guidry, 4-1)
2 -- Wildwood Royal (Danush Sukie, 4-1)
3 -- Salzurita (Willie Martinez, 8-1)
4 -- New Dreams (Brice Blanc, 6-1)
5 -- Miss Fortunate (Brian Peck, 7-2)
6 -- Bare Necessities (Rene Douglas, 7-5)
