Despite both horses returning to competitive racing after an 88-day break, Ms Cherry and Banadura appear to be the front-runners to kick-start the Road to the Triple Crown in today’s 30th running of the Hotline Stakes.

The Hotline Stakes, named after the magnificent filly Hotline, is considered a major prep event for the upcoming Classic series of races and will take place over six furlongs (1,200m) for a purse of $1.2 million.

Ms Cherry and Banadura last ran in the Jamaica Two-Year-Old Stakes over one mile (1,600m) on December 26. Ms Cherry, handled by Hall of Famer Richard Azan, placed sixth by 17 ¾ lengths. Banadura, trained by champion Jason DaCosta, finished eighth by 30 ¼ lengths. The race was won by Intrestntimesahead, beating Run Julie Run and Fastnfuriouslinks in 1:39.2.

Ms Cherry (Sensational Slam – Fiftyshadesoffray), who is a half-sister to last year’s 2000 Guineas winner Mojito, has been timely prepared for her seasonal debut and could return with a win. The bay filly worked five furlongs (1,000m) in 1:01.2 alongside stablemate Buttercup on Friday, March 15 to indicate her readiness. Leading rider Tevin Foster has been called upon to riding honours aboard Ms Cherry here. Note: Figure-8 on.

Banadura (Casual Trick – Esperanza) has been also training well since that disappointing run in the Jamaica Two-Year-Old Stakes. On Saturday, March 16, the bay filly galloped five-and-a-half furlongs (1,100m) in 1:09.1, with five furlongs done in 1:03.1 alongside stablemate Rosetta.

Given her speed and with the tongue-tie on, Banadura has to be caught here. Robert “Hard Ball” Halledeen remains in the saddle.

The Restricted Allowance II contest for native-bred three-year-old fillies (non-winners of two) is positioned as the 10th and final event on the card, with a post time of 5:25 pm and the first race at 11:40 am.

The race is not confined to the two runners stated above. Lady Lauren, Comehometome, and Fastnfuriouslinks all have the ability to make significant bids.

Lady Lauren got it right on her second attempt in a six-furlong race on January 20 when she won the race by 5 ¾ lengths in a time of 1:16.2 easily. A similar effort from Lady Lauren here could see her getting into the money sharing.

Comehometome has finished in second place in her last three races. The bay filly has shown promise in her efforts and could spring the surprise.

Fastnfuriouslinks was expected to do much better than her ninth-place finish by 22 ¼ lengths behind Amazing Force over six-and-a-half furlongs (1,300m) on February 24. Based on her ability, an improved run is expected from Fastnfuriouslinks here.

The field is completed by Lucky In The Sky, Cryptogirl, Nerissa’s Angel, O So Smart, and Blu Sensation.

Also on tap is the $1.4-million Saint Cecelia Cup, an Open Allowance contest for three-year-olds and upward over six-and-a-half furlongs which sees the return of the talented American Desert of Malibu.

Desert of Malibu has won five races from seven starts on local soil. She reared at the starting gates on February 17 over the straight (1,000m) and never recovered when finishing fourth behind stablemate Sensational Move. Since then, Desert of Malibu has been training out of the starting gates and if she can it right here, then this won’t be a race.

However, if she continues her antics the race could be thrown wide open with the possibility of other runners upsetting.
Divine Force, Madelyn’s Sunshine, Emperorofthecats, and Atlantic Convoy could come into play here.

Ones to watch:

Race 1)
Boss Izzy/Beautiful Bran/Schlesinger

Race 2)
Chocomo/Train of Thought/Pope’s Lady

Race 3)
My Sunshine/Lady Gobina/Himaya

Race 4)
Francis/Battle Angel/Sippin On Sunshine

Race 5)
Just An Illusion/JamalJames/Noble Impulse

Race 6)
KP Choice/Unruly Boss/Prince Masrshall

Race 7)
Dodge This Link/Zabratone/Mine That Cat

Race 8)
Sparkles/MPRS Links/Waterman John

Race 9)
Desert of Malibu/Madelyn’s Sunshine/Divine Force

Race 10)
Ms Cherry/Banadura/Comehometome