Sponsored by Alex Nichols Agency
By Stefanie Grimm
7th-FG, $56K, Alw/Opt. Clm ($80k), 4yo/up, f/m, 1 1/16m, 5:05 p.m. ET
After a last-out fourth in the GI Longines Breeders' Cup Distaff where she was defeated only three-quarters of a length by longshot Marche Lorraine (Jpn) (Orfevre {Jpn}), GISW & MGSP CLAIRIERE (Curlin) starts her 2022 season Wednesday at the site of some her greatest successes. Prior to her defeat in the Breeders' Cup, she took the GI Cotillion S. Sept. 25 at Parx and, earlier that season, captured the GII Rachel Alexandra S. Feb. 13 and was a close second in the GII Fair Grounds Oaks Mar. 20, both at today's 1 1/16-mile distance. The newly turned 4-year-old has been training lights out, including a bullet five-furlong work Feb. 28 in :59 3/5, the fastest of 24 works at the distance, for trainer Steve Asmussen.
“In all honesty, all we need to do is be a length better than we were last year,” Asmussen said. “She couldn't be giving us any more confidence with the way she's training. It's worked out really well for Stonestreet, having two nice fillies in Pauline's Pearl and Clairiere. With an ideal spot to start Clairiere in a conditioned allowance race, we will see which one of the two gets to run in the Apple Blossom.”
Clairiere adds Lasix for the first time Wednesday and picks up Joel Rosario for the ride. To get the win, she'll need to hold off both the aptly named SUPER QUICK (Super Saver) as well as TIZAFEELIN (Jimmy Creed) who each ride respective three-race win streaks into Wednesday's allowance. TJCIS PPs
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