Stonestreet Stable 1st Winner Clairiere one of the top contenders in the country last year, is expected to return to competition March 16 in Saturday’s race at Fair Grounds & Slots. The regal raised daughter of Curlin and lots of level 1 food Transport The finish of the fourth match at the Longines Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1) was last seen on 6 November at Del Mar. In what is believed to be the best performance of her career, Clairiere was floated seven wide at the top of the lane and rallied relentlessly in the ramp, being beaten only three-quarters of the length after the win. Marche Lorraine .
Clairiere has been in steady form since resuming training with Steve Asmussen’s Fair Grounds conditioner this winter. The 4-year-old shaded 1:00 twice for five coats in her last two winds, including a bullet: 59 3/5 moved on February 28.
“Honestly, all we need to do is take longer than last year,” Asmussen said. “(Clairere) couldn’t have made us more confident with the way she trains. It works really well for Stonestreet, has two fills Pauline’s Pearl and Claire. With an ideal position to start Clairiere in a conditional allowance race, we’ll see which of the two will run in (April 23) Apple Blossom Handicap (G1). ”
Also campaigned by Stonestreet and coached by Asmussen, Pauline’s Pearl has had a stellar 4-year campaign to date, winning the Houston Ladies Classic (G3) on January 30 before falling behind. 3/4 of the way to the championship. Ce Ce during Azeri Stakes (G2) on Saturday at Oaklawn Park.
Clairiere will be riding for the first time in 2021, Eclipse Award-winning rider Joel Rosario in Wednesday’s contest, a $80,000 1 1/16-mile option open to riders and horses the older one on the main track.
Although Clairere is the only contender to take her record 1st place win in field six, notable challenges will come from Marylou Whitney Stables’ Super fast and Lothenbach Stables’ Audrey’s Time . The first to deliver a three-race winning streak, scored a gate-to-wire victory in the allowable-optional claim race on Nov. Churchill Downs in her most recent start. The multiple-ranked Audrey’s Time, coached by Neil Pessin, made his third Pauline’s Pearl final appearance in the Houston Ladies Classic and landed the Joseph E. Spanky Broussard Memorial Stakes after the two-reward Oaklawn course. again.
