Across a triad of tracks, including Aqueduct, Woodbine and Churchill Downs, we find both Grade II and Grade III races over the turf and the Tapeta which should come as a welcome dose.

First on Saturday, the Big A cards the GIII Pebbles S., which is a one mile battle on the Inner Turf. If Chad Brown trainee Rhiannon (Medaglia d'Oro) can build on her first grass attempt at second asking, which was an impressive seven-length score Sept. 16, then she's the pick.

Before we send the bay filly straight to the winner's circle, don't count out her stablemate, Startup Mentality (Ire) (Kingman {GB}), who debuted a winner at Monmouth Park July 22. Nor should we negate the talent of GI Coaching Club Oaks runner-up Sacred Wish (Not This Time). The George Weaver trainee finished just off the board in the GIII Valley View S. at Keeneland Oct. 27.

Towards the end of the Aqueduct card the renewal of the GII Red Smith S. includes a number of experienced older turf experts who will take on the 3-year-old upstart and younger brother to MGISW Nest (Curlin) in Lost Ark (Violence). Last seen winning the off the turf GI Jockey Club Invitational Oct. 7 during the Belmont at the Big A meet, the Todd Pletcher trainee is going to have his work cut out for him against the likes of MGISP Soldier Rising (GB) (Frankel {GB}) and GSW Verstappen (War Front).

The Sunday action concludes in Ozone Park with the GIII Long Island S., which will be headlined by GSW Vergara (Noble Mission {GB}).

Heading to Canada, Woodbine Racetrack puts on a pair of Saturday graded stakes races in the GIII Maple Leaf and the GII Bessarabian. Both have large fields, but the latter might be the most intriguing with several alums present from the GIII Ontario Fashion S. Oct. 14. Out of the bunch, look for GSW Loyalty (Hard Spun) to get back to her winning ways for Gainesway Stable and LNJ Foxwoods.

Trucking down to Churchill Downs that same afternoon, the GIII River City S. is a nine-furlong route over the Matt Winn Turf Course. You'll recognize stalwarts GISW Rockemperor (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}) and GSW Cellist (big Blue Kitten), plus older colts like GSW Kitodan (Point of Entry), GSP Smokin' T (War Front) and GSW Grand Sonata (Medaglia d'Oro). A mark of consistency, SP Siege of Boston (War Front) takes his first shot at graded company for owner Joseph Allen and trainer James Toner.

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Live Oak Plantation's CHARLOTTESAPPROVAL (Into Mischief) makes it to the races Friday afternoon at Ellis Park in her first start since bringing $1,000,000 as a yearling at last year's Fasig-Tipton New York Select Yearling Sale. She is the second foal out of MGSW Curlin's Approval (Curlin). Racing out of the Mark Casse barn, she fired a bullet drill two back, going four furlongs from the gate in :47 3/5 (1/16) July 6 and most recently went another four furlongs in :48 4/5 (9/32) July 28. Charlottesapproval drew the inside gate and picks up Christian Torres for her debut.

In the middle of the gate, Courbe (Quality Road) is a Wertheimer and Frere homebred from the family of Honest Lady, herself a half-sister to late leading sire Empire Maker (Unbridled). Under that third dam is GI Forego H. winner First Defence (Unbridled's Song) and MSW/GSP Honest Mischief (Into Mischief). TJCIS PPS

4th-SAR, $136K, Msw, 3yo/up, 6f, f, 2:39 p.m.

A $550,000 Keeneland September yearling, Rhiannon (Medaglia d'Oro) makes the races for CHP Racing and trainer Chad Brown. Out of a graded-stakes winning mare who is a half to MGSW Divine Oath (Broken Vow), this is the family of GSW/GISP Ocho Ocho Ocho (Street Sense) and MGSW Interactif (Broken Vow).

Also making her first start back since March is Magical Song (Tapit), the second foal out of dual-champion mare Songbird. Jose Ortiz gets aboard for this filly's fourth start, her first for trainer Todd Pletcher who removes the blinkers in this spot. TJCIS PPS

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