Multiple graded stakes winners Caught In The Rain and Bedanken drew the two inside posts for Saturday's $100,000 Pago Hop Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Fair Grounds.
Scheduled for about a mile on the Stall-Wilson turf course, the Pago Hop drew a crowded field of 14.
Purchased privately by Heiligbrodt Racing Stable and Walter New following her win in the Mrs. Revere (gr. IIT) at Churchill Downs, Caught In The Rain has been stabled with trainer Steve Asmussen for nine days.
Caught In The Rain, co-highweight at 123 pounds, gets Donnie Meche in the irons. She has won four of seven starts this year, but surprised everyone winning the Mrs. Revere at 32-1 in a blanket finish with Bedanken.
Caught In The Rain's front-running ways do not suit a turf course that has consistently played to closers thus far this season. The Petionville filly owns a perfect 3-for-3 record on the grass.
Bedanken has turned into a stable star for trainer Donnie Von Hemel. Owned by Pin Oak Stable, Bedanken ships in from Remington Park as the 5-2 morning line favorite.
The daughter of Geri has already won the Honeybee and the Valley View (gr. IIIT) at Keeneland. Don Pettinger keeps the mount.
Another contender making her first start for new connections is Lush Soldier.
Lush Soldier, third in the Queen Elizabeth (gr. IT) at Keeneland, finished fifth to Caught In The Rain and Bedanken in the Mrs. Revere in her last start.
$100,000 Pago Hop, 3-year-old filles, about 1 mile on turfPP. Horse (Jockey, Weight)
1. Caught In The Rain (Donnie Meche, 123)
2. Bedanken (Don Pettinger, 123)
3. Distinctive Code (Ronald Ardoin, 113)
4. Dynamic Lady (Eddie Martin Jr., 116)
5. Bala (Kirk LeBlanc, 116)
6. Voodoo Lady (Larry Melancon), 121
7. Atlantic Fury (Willie Martinez, 116)
8. Sugar Dipped (Lonnie Meche, 116)
9. Lotta Rhythm (Calvin Borel, 116)
10. Society Dame (Corey Lanerie, 116)
11. Peaceful Place (V.L. Smith, 116)
12. Lush Soldier (Robby Albarado, 123)
13. Sweet Deimos (Ray Sibille, 113)
14. Attico (Frank Lovato Jr., 118)
