By Christie DeBernardis
Todd Pletcher looks likely to take home his sixth victory in the recently downgraded GII Mother Goose S. with three strong entries in Saturday's renewal. Mathis Stable's undefeated My Miss Tapit (Tapit), who is entered in the Fasig-Tipton July Horses of Racing Age Sale July 10, will attempt two turns for the first time in this test. The chestnut followed her debut score going 5 1/2 furlongs at Gulfstream Mar. 10 with a victory in that venue's seven-panel Game Face S. Apr. 22. She was further flattered when Game Face runner-up Actress (Tapit) followed that effort with an upset score over the Pletcher-trained Lights of Medina (Eskendereya) in the GII Black-Eyed Susan S. May 19.
Donning cap and gown by five lengths in her fourth attempt at Laurel Mar. 26, Lights of Medina followed suit with a victory in that venue's Weber City S. Apr. 22 prior to her narrow loss in the Black-Eyed Susan last time. Rounding out the Pletcher trio is Moana (Uncle Mo), who finished fifth in the Black-Eyed Susan after graduating at second asking at Keeneland Apr. 14.
The biggest threat to the Pletcher triumvirate is likely to come from Juddmonte Farms homebred Lockdown (First Defence), a full-sister to champion Close Hatches. Kicking off this term with a win in the Busanda S. Jan. 15, the bay checked in second behind a streaking Miss Sky Warrior (First Samurai) in the GII Gazelle S. there Apr. 8. She was last seen finishing a creditable third to subsequent GI Acorn S. victress Abel Tasman (Quality Road) in the GI Kentucky Oaks May 5. Also exiting the Oaks is fourth-place finisher Vexatious (Giant's Causeway), who was third in both the GII TwinSpires.com Fair Grounds Oaks and GII Fantasy S. in April.
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