The Grade 3, $400,000 Masters, the premier event at Presque Isle Downs, drew a full field of 12 older fillies and mares, plus two also-eligibles on Wednesday. Although last year’s Masters winner, Informed Decision, is entered once again for Saturday’s running, her victory is not a given.
Goldophin Stable and trainer Saeed bin Suroor are sending out the Argentine-bred Peristaltica. Although limited to four lifetime starts, all in her native country, Peristaltica has won three times. First-time blinkers and first-time Lasix could both help her chances in the Masters.
Dubai Majesty has won 2 of her last 3 races, including the Grade 3 Winning Colors at Churchill Downs on May 31 and the Incredible Revenge at Monmouth on Aug. 15. Sandwiched between those two wins was a third-place finish in the Grade 1 Princess Rooney at Calder. Miguel Mena, aboard for all three of those races, retains the mount for trainer Bret Calhoun.
Linda Rice is will send out Mother Russia, runner-up in the Grade 3 Royal North on Aug. 2 and third-place finisher in the Grade 3 Seaway last Saturday. Both races were at Woodbine. Regular rider Mike Luzzi will be aboard.
Dr. Zic, winner of the Grade 1 Madison at Keeneland April 8, ships in for trainer Joan Scott. Dr. Zic finished second in the Grade 3 Hendrie at Woodbine following the Madison, but didn’t run well, finishing ninth in the Princess Rooney on July 10, her last out. A return to a synthetic surface may help Saturday.
Informed Decision comes into the Masters off an even sixth-finish in the Grade 1 Ballerina at Saratoga on Aug. 28. Before that seven-furlong dirt attempt, she won the one-mile Windward at Presque Isle, upping her record to a perfect 2 for 2 over the track’s Tapeta surface.
Champagne d’Oro pointing to Keeneland stakes
Champagne d’Oro, a 3-year-old, had been expected to face older runners in the Masters but was not entered. Winner of the Grade 1 Test most recently and the Grade 1 Acorn on June 5, trainer Eric Guillot has had to adjust her schedule.
“She came into heat and missed a few days of training, so we made a new plan,” Guillot said.
Champagne d’Oro will next run Oct. 9 at Keeneland in the Grade 2, $200,000 Thoroughbred Club of America going six furlongs, according to Guillot.
