Insights on the American Racing Scene for Feb. 10

SA-1st, $58k, Alw/Opt. Clm, 4yo/up, f/m, 6 1/2fT
Grade I winner NICKNAME (Scat Daddy) makes her first start since last May and tries turf for the initial time in this down-the-hill Friday opener. Bought for $350,000 by L N J Foxwoods as a KEESEP yearling, the dark bay captured the GI Frizette S. in 2015 before running fourth behind champion Songbird (Medaglia d'Oro) in that term's GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies. Nickname went winless in four starts as a sophomore, most recently finishing third in the GIII Eight Belles S. at Churchill. After racing for trainer Steve Asmussen through her first eight races, she makes her debut for the Richard Mandella barn and shows a strong five-furlong workout in :59 4/5 (8/87) Jan. 26 over the local main. Nickname's dam won her turf debut and was stakes placed on the grass. TCJIS PPs —@JBiancaTDN