Emmy Darling Ready for A Gleam
Trainer John Sadler aims for his third straight victory in the $150,000 A Gleam Handicap for fillies and mares Saturday when he plans to send out Emmy Darling in the Grade II test at seven furlongs.
Emmy Darling, a 4-year-old chestnut filly, scored her only other added-money victory here in the Landaluce in her second start in 2008. Victorious in four of 18 starts, Emmy Darling will try to bounce back from a troubled fifth-place finish in the Winning Colors Stakes at Churchill Downs May 31.
Sadler won the A Gleam in contrasting styles the past two years: Dearest Trickski wire to wire in 2008, and Evita Argentina from last in a field of nine last year. Joel Rosario, who rode Evita Argentina, has the call on Emmy Darling.
Other probable starters are Desert Stormer Handicap winner Free Flying Soul (Mike Smith), Milady Handicap winner Made for Magic (Omar Berrio), Moon de French (Martin Garcia), Sweet August Moon (Victor Espinoza) and Will O Way (Tyler Baze).
In the 55-year history of the A Gleam, only three trainers have won it three times: Clyde Turk and Hall of Famers Laz Barrera and Bobby Frankel.