By Alan Carasso
Gainesway Stable's White Frost (Candy Ride {Arg}), impressive in winning her turf and two-turn debuts to close out her freshman campaign, rates a slight edge in what appears a wide-open renewal of the GIII Sweetest Chant S. Saturday at Gulfstream Park.
A debut fourth to $1-million KEESEP yearling Zainalarab (War Front) at Belmont Sept. 18, the homebred was a distant second in the slop Oct. 31 before parlaying a perfect, ground-saving trip into a a 1 1/4-length graduation at Aqueduct Nov. 21. The form of that race was franked when runner-up Lijana (Hard Spun) graduated with authority at the Fair Grounds in her next start Jan. 16.
Director's Cut (Exaggerator), a maiden winner and stakes-placed over this course at two, was acquired by Gary Barber late last season, but was a well-beaten fifth to Plum Ali (First Samurai) in the GII Miss Grillo S. Oct. 4. The bay raced with first-time Lasix in a Jan. 10 allowance and sat a very wide trip, finishing 1 1/2 lengths adrift of Mia Martini (Not This Time) while covering an additional 32 feet (about 3 1/2 lengths) in a compact field, according to Trakus.
Con Lima (Commissioner) is also unbeaten in her two tries on the grass, a 5 1/4-length thrashing of a Dec. 12 allowance ahead of a 3 1/4-length defeat of Honey Pants (Cairo Prince) in the local Ginger Brew S. Jan. 2. Both of those successes were achieved in front-running fashion, but rating tactics in a field that appears loaded with speed could go a long way here.
Domain Express (Kitten's Joy) represents the Chad Brown stable, successful in this event each year from 2012-2017, and comes out of a visually impressive four-length maiden victory against decidedly easier at Tampa Dec. 5.
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