Break Even can start new winning streak in Fair Grounds' Mardi Gras

Break Even looks to get back to her winning ways when she makes her 4-year-old bow facing 11 others in the $75,000 Mardi Gras Stakes on Tuesday, Feb. 25, at Fair Grounds.

Klein Racing’s homebred daughter of Country Day drew post No. 3 for the 5 ½ furlong turf sprint with Shaun Bridgmohan in the saddle for trainer Brad Cox.

Break Even was defeated for the first time last out when she finished second to Royal Charlotte in the Prioress (G2) at Saratoga in August. She had been a perfect 6-for-6, including a graded score in Churchill Downs' Eight Belles (G2).

The Mardi Gras will also signal a return to the grass for Break Even after she won a 5 ½-furlong turf sprint at Saratoga last July. It was her only try over the grass to date.

Set to face stiff competition from the likes of 6-year-old Hotshot Anna (No. 8) and Bell’s the One (No. 12), Break Even will most-likely employ her front-running style but could be joined at the head of the pack by Unbridled Class (No.5).

Hotshot Anna had an impressive winning streak of her own snapped in her latest effort when she finished eighth in last month's Nelson J. Menard Memorial Stakes at Fair Grounds. Unbridled Class won the 5 ½-furlong turf sprint in gate-to-wire fashion. Hotshot Anna came into that race having won five in a row for trainer Hugh Robertson.

Bell’s the One, who finished second to Break Even in the Eight Belles, also lost last time out, finishing fifth in the La Brea (G1) at Santa Anita in December for trainer Neil Pessin. She became a graded stakes winner by capturing the Raven Run (G2) at Keeneland last October.

Break Even has worked at Louisiana Downs since late January in preparation for her 2020 nod.