Hall of Fame coach Steve Asmussen will attempt to help third winner of the $400,000 Houston Ladies Classic Stakes (G3) on January 30 at Sam Houston Racing Park, a race that has proven to be the launch pad for powerful campaigns by top distributors. His fee Pauline’s Pearl a Stonestreet Stables cross, led a field of seven mares and older mares in the 1/16 mile event.
“She was a very kind person,” Asmussen said of Pauline’s Pearl, 4. “We’ve had success with both Midnight Bisou and Lady Apple in this race and look forward to running Pauline’s Pearl for the Stonestreet Stables. “
Asmussen previously won the Houston Ladies Classic in 2019 with Midnight Bisou, who later that year became the senior women’s champion, and in 2020 with Lady Apple, who earned more than $1 million.
In 2021, the Houston Ladies Classic is the first tournament of the year for the team coached by Fausto Gutierrez Letruska who was next with multiple 1st place wins and potentially the Eclipse Award for the older female champion.
Pauline’s Pearl finished last season in first place at Zia Park Oaks Nov. 23. The Tapit filly won or won eight of the 10 lifecycle starts and also won the 2021 Fantasy Stake (G3) at Oaklawn Park. She’s not Hot Dixie Chick, Asmussen-trained level 1 winner, and half-sister to multi-stakes winner and stallion Union Jackson .
Joel Rosario called Pauline’s Pearl, the morning 6-5 favorite who will carry 120 pounds, from post 3.
Shortleaf Stable .’s Arkansas Cross Rose Mary will try to claim their first black win at the Houston Ladies Classic after a game against the company that opens December 31 in Oaklawn. 5 year old child Macho Uno The mares shortened by 7 3/4 in length in an optional extra go-ahead claimant to Sunday’s upcoming race, pulling off an 18-1 disappointment.
Early last year, she won the Downthedustyroad Breeders’ Stakes Award for trainer Brad Cox. She was looked after by John Ortiz for her last five games, booking in three of them before she finally won.
“The light bulb turned on for me in her second race last August at Colony Downs, “Ortiz is about a claimant who has an off-field mile allowance option in which Mary Rose is hit a second time in the neck.” She sprinted quite a bit. I wanted to see what she did in two turns and she blew up the door in her last race. “
Reylu Gutierrez will ride The Mary Rose from the outer ring. The mare will carry 118 pounds and is a 3-1 second choice on the light track.
Lothenbach’s barn Audrey’s Time also go into a victory. 5 year old child Uncle Mo mares have been rallying since the last year to capture the Joseph E. Spanky Broussard Memorial Stocks on December 27 at Fair Grounds & Slots. That effort after finishing third in the Falls City Stakes (G2) on November 25 at Churchill Downs. Corey Lanerie will be on board in place of coach Neil Pessin from Lesson 2. Audrey’s Time will also weigh 118 pounds and be listed at 7-2.
Third Broussard Memorial Velvet Crush , Becca’s Missile , Champagne Affair and Gold Scroll complete this field.
Item: Houston Ladies Classic S. (G3)
Sam Houston Racing ParkSunday, January 30, 2022, Race 7
- Level III
- 1 1/16m
- Dust
- 400,000 dollars
- 4 yo & up Fillies and Mares
- 4:53 pm (local)
