Ami’s Mesa Makes Seasonal Debut in Madison

[Chief Stipe]

Nearly perfect if not for a brutal nose defeat in the GI Breeders’ Cup F/M Sprint in November, ‘TDN Rising Star’ Ami’s Mesa (Sky Mesa) seeks a first Grade I tally in Keeneland’s Madison S. Saturday. “The only question going into the [Breeders’ Cup] was the dirt,” said trainer Josie Carroll, who sent out Ami’s Mesa to three 2017 graded tallies–two at Woodbine and one at Presque Isle, all over Tapeta. “After the Breeders’ Cup, she got five weeks off at the farm in Florida.” Carroll has had some success at Keeneland in recent years with dirt sprinters: Leigh Court (Grand Slam) cruised to victory in the 2014 GII TCA S., while Ami’s Mesa’s relative Ami’s Flatter (Flatter) turned in a career-best effort to take the GIII Commonwealth S. on this card two years ago.

One who already boasts a victory at the highest level is Kaleem Shah’s lightly raced American Gal (Concord Point). Twice Grade I-placed at two for Bob Baffert, she was transferred to Simon Callaghan ahead of a clear-cut victory in Belmont’s GIII Victory Ride S. July 9. The homebred was last seen dominating Saratoga’s prestigious GI Test S. going this distance back in August.

Talented Finley’sluckycharm (Twirling Candy) is another due to get a Grade I on her resume at some point. A close second in the 2016 GI La Brea S. going this distance, she’s a three-time graded winner, including a score in the six-panel TCA here in October. Ninth in the F/M Sprint, she was second in the grassy Mardi Gras S. at Fair Grounds Feb. 13.

 

View the full article