John C. Oxley homebred Beautiful Memories (Hard Spun) headlines a field of eight juvenile fillies set for Thursday's co-featured GIII Schuylerville S. at the Spa.
Trained by Mark Casse, the chestnut aired by 10 lengths for 'TDN Rising Star' honors on debut at Churchill Downs May 28. She's registered a pair of bullet workouts in Louisville since, including a five-furlong spin in :59 1/5 (1/34) July 4.
Beautiful Memories' third dam is champion older mare Beautiful Pleasure, who carried Oxley's gold-and-blue silks to six top-level victories, led by a win in the 1999 GI Breeders' Cup Distaff.
“We broke her and had her down at the training center all winter and she seemed special,” Casse said. “I told Mr. Oxley when I breezed her that she gave me chills and that doesn't happen often.”
Casse continued, “You always want to see more than just one time. She's come back and trained well and her last two works have been really good. We're hoping for a similar performance, but we'll let her do the talking.”
Hopeful Princess (Not This Time) makes her first start for Stonestreet Stables and Steve Asmussen. She became the first winner for her in-demand freshman sire graduating on debut for Jackie Huckaby, Imaginary Stables and Donna G. Hancock and trainer John A. Hancock with a hard-fought victory beneath the Twin Spires May 21.
Like Beautiful Memories, Hopeful Princess earned a field-best 75 Beyer Speed Figure on debut.
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