Train to Artemus is at the top of the class in Saturday's $100,000 Pan Zareta Stakes, a 5 1/2-furlong turf sprint for fillies and mares at Fair Grounds that drew field of 11.
Dixiana Farm's recent public auction acquisition exits a narrow defeat in Keeneland's Franklin (G2), finishing third, about a length behind winner Tony Ann and runner-up Caravel. That performance and more garnered the attention of Fair Grounds' morning-line oddsmaker Mike Diliberto, who deemed her the 3-1 favorite.
Dixiana Farm purchased Train to Artemus, a three-time stakes winner this year, for $250,000 in at Keeneland November Horses of Racing Age Sale, where Bluewater Sales offered her. Previously in the hands of Kelly Breen, the 5-year-old Tapizar mare has moved to John Ennis' barn.
“She's firmly the class of the race,” Ennis said. “She's just a smashing filly. Physically, she looks like a colt. You'd love her to win a graded stake on the grass eventually–she definitely looks the part and trains the part.”
Train to Artemus' class edge is hard to deny, but in terms of speed figures and form ratings, there are three entered in the Pan Zareta who stack up.
Klein Racing's Goin' Good is a battle-tested, hard-trying mare who rarely doesn't fire but has only one win in the past two years. The other two are 3-year-olds on the rise, as Horseshoe Racing's Redefined and John Donaldson's Carimba will look to run back to their recent top efforts against allowance ranks, which would prove dangerous against this field.
Train to Artemus' rise to her current form and class level began in the fall of 2022 when Breen claimed her away from Saffie Joseph Jr. and began stepping her up. After running her successfully through allowance conditions, in February she won her first stakes: the Lightning Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs. Including the Franklin and her fifth in the Ladies Turf Sprint (G2) at Kentucky Downs, Train to Artmeus has had a formful 5-year-old campaign, going 11-4-2-3, all at sprint distances.
“(Dixiana was) kind enough to send her to me,” Ennis said. “I went and looked at six or seven mares for them at the sale, and she was at the top of the list. I liked what I saw and they were happy that I agreed with what they saw in her as well. Ultimately, she'll be bred, whether it's next year or the year after. There's plenty of miles left on the clock. She'll tell us when she's ready to go.”
Gerardo Corrales was at the reins in her last two starts in Kentucky and changed her running style, bringing her back early to unleash a late run. He is named to ride her in the Pan Zareta, where she will break from post 2.
“Corrales suits her well,” Ennis said. “He knows her probably better than I do.”
Also nominated for Turfway Park's Holiday Inaugural on Dec. 2, there is a chance Train to Aretmus makes her first start for her new connections on Tapeta, not turf.
“I haven't had her long,” Ennis said. “Maybe she needs another week galloping.”
Here's the complete field for the $100,000 Pan Zareta from the rail out (with jockey, trainer, and morning line): Charlie T (CJ Mcmahon, Lee Thomas, 8-1); Train to Artemus (Corrales, Ennis, 3-1); Twice as Sweet (Jareth Loveberry, Brendan Walsh, 15-1); Still My Babe (Angel Suarez, Brendan Walsh, 20-1); Carimba (Marcelino Pedroza Jr., Rey Hernandez, 7-2); Medalla Match (Deshawn Parker, Michael Biehler, 6-1); Kerry (Corey Lanerie, Joe Sharp, 15-1); Goin' Good (James Graham, Brad Cox, 4-1); Redefined (Jamie Torres, Michelle Lovell, 8-1); Granato (Ben Curtis, Whit Beckman, 20-1); Kela's Turn (Jose Luis Rodriguez, Henry Guillory Jr., 50-1).
The post Train To Artemus Could Make First Start For New Owner Dixiana Farm In Pan Zareta appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
