Plum Ali (First Samurai) makes the first start of her sophomore career Saturday in the GII Appalachian S. at Keeneland. A debut winner going two turns at Saratoga July 23, the chestnut rallied to another decisive victory in the Mint Juvenile Fillies S. at Kentucky Downs Sept. 7 and captured the GII Miss Grillo S. at Belmont Oct. 4. She was last seen making up good ground to be fifth in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf S. Nov. 6.
Spanish Loveaffair (Karakontie {Jpn}) looks to rebound after being disqualified from her victory in Gulfstream's GIII Herecomesthebride S. last out Feb. 27. Opening her account with a pair of wins in Hallandale, including the Sharp Susan S. last summer, the bay checked in second to 'TDN Rising Star' Aunt Peal (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}) in this venue's GII Jessamine S. Oct. 7 and was sixth to that rival in the Breeders' Cup. She crossed the line 2 3/4 lengths clear in the Herecomesthebride, but was disqualified for interference and placed fourth.
'TDN Rising Star' Jouster (Noble Mission {GB}) seeks her black-type badge in this test. Earning her diploma by 8 3/4 lengths at third asking when switched to the turf at Gulfstream Jan. 10, the bay followed suit with an optional claimer win there Feb. 7 and missed by a nose in the GIII Florida Oaks at Tampa Mar. 6.
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