Kepi, Alette Rematch in Works for Modesty

Next Saturday’s 58th running of the Grade III $150,000 Modesty Handicap is shaping up as a complex affair with many talented locally based runners set to take on a few very capable shippers from nationally renowned barns.  Leading the local charge is Nancy Vanier and Lyda Williamson’s recent Lincoln Heritage Handicap winner Kepi.  Incredibly reliable throughout her 21-race career, the daughter of Strategic Mission has finished in the top four in 19 of those events.  Trained by Brian Williamson, Kepi will be making her graded stakes debut if entered.

Finishing directly astern Kepi in the Lincoln Heritage was Richard Otto’s Alette.  An improving type, Alette seems to have recently come into her best form.  Two races back, she defeated a tough allowance field over the local Arlington International Racecourse turf en route to a half-length victory.  Versatile and long-winded, the Chris Block-trained filly who has won or placed on all three surfaces has been aimed toward the Modesty since before the Lincoln Heritage and her connections look forward to the 1 3/16-miles distance.

Chris Block also trains the talented and well bred I O Ireland.  Another who will appreciate the extra ground, the Team Block homebred chestnut filly is a daughter of Giant’s Causeway out of 2001 Modesty winner Ioya Two.  She is also a half-sister to multiple Illinois champion and turf marathon specialist Ioya Bigtime.  I O Ireland was second in an allowance last out to the aforementioned Kepi on June 5.

Haines Stable, et al’s Every Way looks to make the fifth start of her 4-year-old season in the Modesty if entered by trainer Mike Stidham.  An excellent second in the Minnesota HBPA Distaff last out at Canterbury, the daughter of City Zip defeated stakes fillies La Tia and Via Villagio in a local allowance over the main course on May 9.  Last year, Every Way was second in the Grade III Pucker Up Stakes and Hatoof Stakes over the local grass.  The chestnut filly worked a solid five furlongs in 1:00.60 on Saturday morning.

Hit the Board Stable’s I’m Already Sexy, who annexed the aforementioned Pucker Up last fall, is looking to return to the site of her best performances if entered by trainer Wayne Catalano.  In addition to the Pucker Up, the daughter of Ready’s Image has won three of her career five wins over the local grass, including a division of the Hatoof and an allowance.

Possibly leading the invading forces could be Robert S. Evans’ Christophe Clement-trained Irish Mission, a daughter of Giant’s Causeway from the same owner/trainer connections of Belmont Stakes winner Tonalist.  Based at Belmont Park, the sizeable mare exits a notable second in the Belmont Gold Cup over two miles against males.

Another imposing barn with an intended runner is that of Bill Mott, who plans to send Jake Ballis and Rashard Lewis’ White Rose from his Churchill Downs base.  A gray daughter of Tapit, White Rose recently ran away from an allowance field on June 15 over nine furlongs.  Previous to that run, she was a respectable sixth - closing from 10th - in the Keertana Stakes at Churchill.  Second in that race was Glen Hill Farm’s intended Modesty runner Gulsary.  A daughter of Galileo trained by Tom Proctor, Gulsary has been conditioned locally over the last month, including a five-furlong move on June 29 in 1:01.60.

Currently on the fence are nominees Aigue Marine and Emotional Kitten.  The former, a Christophe Clement trainee who was a very good second in the Grade III Bewitch Stakes at Keeneland in April, would be making her first start since that event.  Kenneth and Sarah Ramsey’s Emotional Kitten was a very good fourth - beaten only three-quarters of a length - in the Grade I Jenny Wiley Stakes at Keeneland in April before running a subpar eighth in the Grade I Gamely Stakes at Santa Anita last out for trainer Wesley Ward.