Eclipse Thoroughbreds, Madaket Stables and Heider Family Stables' Speech (Mr Speaker) looks to reproduce the form that landed her last summer's GI Central Bank Ashland S. in Friday's GIII Baird Doubledogdare S. at Keeneland. Promoted a position to third after the disqualification of Gamine in the GI Longines Kentucky Oaks in September, the Mike McCarthy trainee tired to sixth in the seven-furlong GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint at the Lexington oval Nov. 7. Javier Castellano, who was aboard the Florida-bred for two of her three lifetime wins, gets the call in the 8 1/2-furlong contest.
W.S. Farish's Royal Flag (Candy Ride {Arg}) kicked off 2020 with a pair of optional claiming wins, including a half-length score at Churchill in May, before finishing third in Monmouth's GIII Molly Pitcher S. in July. Runner up in Saratoga's Aug 30 GIII Shuvee S. followed by the Lady's Secret S. at Monmouth Oct. 7, the chestnut rounded out the season with a confident score in Aqueduct's GIII Turnbackthealarm S. Nov. 7.
Juddmonte's Bonny South (Munnings) also looks to kick off her 2021 campaign Friday. Victorious in three consecutive races, capped off last spring's GII Fair Grounds Oaks, the homebred finished fourth in the Ashland before finishing runner up behind Classic winner Swiss Skydiver (Daredevil) in Saratoga's
GI Alabama S. in August. Given some time off before returning with a close-up second in the GII Black-Eyed Susan S. at Pimlico, the Brad Cox trainee closed out the year once again playing the bridesmaid–this time behind Envoutante (Uncle Mo)–in the nine-furlong GII Falls City S. at Churchill Nov. 26.
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