Final Round, runner-up in the Forward Gal (gr. III) at Gulfstream Park March 14, is the likely favorite in a field of six 3-year-old fillies vying in Thursday's $100,000-added La Troienne at seven furlongs at Churchill Downs.
Trained by George Arnold Jr., Pat Day is scheduled to take the reigns on Final Round, who has two wins, three seconds and a third in six starts with career earnings of $137,720 for Owner G.W. Humphrey Jr. The Storm Cat filly came from dead last in the final three furlongs of the seven-furlong Forward Gal to finish second by 2 3/4 lengths to Midnight Cry, who had to be euthanized when injured while working at Churchill last weekend.
Stonerside Stable's Fast Cookie was sixth as the favorite after tiring in the Forward Gal, but returned to win an allowance race at seven furlongs on a good track at Keeneland on April 11 for trainer Bill Mott. Second by a nose to Humorous Lady in October's Astarita (gr. II) on a sloppy track at Belmont, the Deputy Minister filly has a 10-3-3-1 record and earnings of $147,320. Fast Cookie adds blinkers.
Roger Davenport's Lovely Sage, to be ridden by Calvin Borel, was fifth of six in the March 8 Fair Ground Oaks (gr. II). That was her first defeat in three starts for trainer Thomas Amoss.
Crow Jane won a six-furlong allowance at Keenland in an excellent time of 1:10 1/5 on a good track in her most recent start on April 11 for trainer Jeffrey Thornbury.
Also entered Thursday is John Franks and Jerry Hollendorfer's Just Bill Me, a 7 3/4-length winner of the Stonehedge Farm Stakes at Tampa on April 6. The daughter of Master Bill has won five of seven career starts with earnings of $140,730.
Stellar, who would have drawn betting attention in her first start since August 30, ran instead in an allowance at Churchill on Wednesday, finishing third.
Thursday's Churchill card also includes the $100,000 Hard Scuffle (gr. I) hurdle race at 2 1/6 miles. Contrarian Stables' 4-year-old colt Naughty Prince, two for three since switching to jumps last summer, won the Block House in his last outing.
Also on tap Thursday is the $100,000 Mamzelle for fillies and mares at five furlongs on the turf, which drew a field of 10. The D. Wayne Lukas-trained Repository, winner of the 5 1/2-furlong Repository on the grass at Keeneland on April 19, is among the favorites.
$100,000-added La Troienne (gr. III), 3-year-old fillies, 7 furlongsPP. Horse, Rider, Wgt.
1. Real Bear, Larry Melancon, 114
2. Final Round, Pat Day, 116
3. Lovely Sage, Calvin Borel, 116
4. Just Bill Me, Robby Albarado, 120
5. Fast Cookie, Cornelio Velasquez, 118
6. Crow Jane, Frank Lovato Jr., 116
