Marissa's Lady

Godolphin's progressive Matareya (Pioneerof the Nile) goes for a third consecutive victory and second at the graded level when she lines up against nine sprinting sophomore fillies in Friday's GII Eight Belles S. at Churchill Downs. An easy first-out winner at Ellis last August, the homebred was second to Marissa's Lady (Violence) in this track's Fern Creek S. Nov. 27 ahead of a distant runner-up effort behind GI Longines Kentucky Oaks hopeful Secret Oath (Arrogate) in a one-mile Oaklawn allowance Dec. 31. The bay returned to winning ways with a...

Beautiful Empire (Classic Empire)'s furious kick carried the day for conditioner Mark Casse, rallying from last to lead home a 1-2-3 finish for the Mark Casse barn in a brisk rendition of the Star Shoot S. at Woodbine. The filly was far back in her first two starts over conventional dirt at Churchill Downs before breaking her maiden Dec. 10 over the synthetic at Turfway Park to conclude her juvenile season. The chestnut began her year with a close runner-up effort Jan. 8 at the venue on first-time Lasix and...

Marissa's Lady took her record to two-for-two with her first black-type score at Churchill Saturday night. Rallying to a narrow score in her career bow over this strip Oct. 31, she was given a 3-1 chance in this event. Stalking from a second through a snappy first quarter in :22.18, the gray charged up to take control turning for home. Matareya confronted her on the fence, but Marissa's Lady found more late, rolling clear to score. Marissa's Lady is the 34th black-type winner for her sire Violence. Her dam produced...