Queen Caroline seeks back-to-back victories in Nellie Mae Cox

Amy Moore’s multiple stakes winner Queen Caroline will face eight rivals in her quest for back-to-back victories in the $75,000 Nellie Mae Cox.

 

A 4-year-old daughter of Blame trained by Michael Matz, Queen Caroline won the first of three straight stakes in last year’s Nellie Mae Cox, scoring by a length over repeat entrant Secret Or Not at Pimlico, when the race was run at 1 1/16 miles.

 

Following that effort, Queen Caroline won back-to-back turf stakes at the Nellie Mae Cox’s new one-mile distance, the TaWee and Indiana Grand at the Shelbyville, Ind. track before an eighth-place finish in the Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup (G1) at Keeneland. Most recently she was fourth by less than three lengths in the Gallorette (G3) May 20 at Pimlico.

 

Rounding out the group are Complete St., second last fall by a nose and neck, respectively, in the Maryland Million Ladies and Brookmeade, the latter against state-breds; Armoire, a recent allowance winner at Pimlico; Grace Is Ready, seventh in the Gallorette; Sweet Sandy, fourth in the 2016 Nellie Mae Cox; Andrasta, Magician’s Vanity and Street Miz.

 

Two Notch Road will make his 34th career start and 10-year old debut in defense of his 2016 victory in the $75,000 White Oak Farm.

 

The Partner’s Hero gelding, owned by trainer Glenn Thompson in partnership with James Hackman, has gone unraced since a third-place finish against state-breds in the 5 ½-furlong Punch Line Sept. 24 at Laurel. He was beaten a total of 2 ¼ lengths, but less than a length behind runner-up Available, who also returns for another try.

 

Two Notch Road, worse than third once from six career tries at Laurel, drew Post 7 of eight in the White Oak Farm under Julian Pimentel, aboard for last year’s victory.

 

Also entered are Lime House Louie, upset winner of last year’s Jamestown against state-breds at Laurel; Fly E Dubai, Lawyer Dave, Rare Art, What a Wildcat and 5-year-old mare Tiz Our Time, cross-entered in the M. Tyson Gilpin.

 

 

Robert S. Evans’ multiple stakes winner Rapid Rhythm and New York shipper Ring Knocker top a field of 12 entered in the $75,000 M. Tyson Gilpin, which wraps up the Virginia-bred/sired stakes action.

 

Rapid Rhythm is turned around by Fair Hill-based trainer Michael Stidham just 16 days after finishing seventh by 4 ¾ lengths in the seven-furlong Intercontinental (G3) at Belmont Park. She won three straight stakes starting with the Oakley last fall against state-breds at Laurel prior to open company wins in the Battle of New Orleans and Mardi Gras at Fair Grounds.

 

Ring Knocker, co-owned by trainer Gary Gullo, earned her first stakes triumph April 1 at Aqueduct in the six-furlong Xtra Heat, named for the 2015 Hall of Famer, a nine-time stakes winner in Maryland. Ring Knocker has been first, second or third twice in her six 2017 starts, coming up a length short in a second-level optional claiming allowance June 3 at Parx last out.

 

Also entered are Awake the Day, Do What I Say, Kloonie, Northern Eclipse, Perfect Trace, Sister Says, Tiz Our Time, Trish’s Wish, Up Hill Battle and Why Not Be Queen.