Spanish Loveaffair Aims for Graded Score in Regret
A pair of nine-furlong turf races for 3-year-olds highlight the undercard of the $150,000 Matt Winn Stakes (G3) May 29 at Churchill Downs. The $150,000 Regret Stakes (G3T) drew nine fillies, while the $150,000 Audubon Stakes attracted eight colts and geldings.
Michael Hernon, Gary Barber, and Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners’ Spanish Loveaffair is the lone stakes winner entered in the Regret. The Karakontie filly trained by Mark Casse won the Sharp Susan Stakes at Gulfstream Park at 2 and opened her sophomore campaign at the South Florida oval in the Feb. 27 Herecomesthebride Stakes (G3T). She crossed the wire 2 3/4 lengths in front, but was placed fourth by the stewards for interference.
Spanish Loveaffair was last of six last out in the April 3 Appalachian Stakes Presented by Japan Racing Association (G2T) at Keeneland. She lacked a rally after being steadied hard shortly after the start when bumped by an outside foe.
“She took a little longer to come out of the Appalachian but we got her back to Churchill and she’s picked things up nicely the last few weeks,” said Casse assistant Davis Carroll. “She’s really flourished the last couple of weeks and I think will be ready for a top effort in this spot.”
The respective Appalachian fourth- and fifth-place finishers, Saranya and Flown , are also in the Regret. The latter was second beaten a neck in a May 8 allowance at Churchill.
Barista and Line Dancing , the respective second- and third-place finishers of the April 30 Edgewood Stakes Presented by Newport Racing & Gaming (G2T), will square off again in the Regret. Edgewood sixth-place finisher, Postnup , also returns.
Gainesway Stable’s Oyster Box will try to break through at the stakes level. The Tapit filly won her first two starts then was third in the Florida Oaks (G3T) at Tampa Bay Downs and fourth in the Memories of Silver Stakes at Aqueduct Racetrack. She is trained by Graham Motion.
Completing the field are Gam’s Mission , who bested Flown in the May 8 allowance, and that race’s third-place finisher Munnyfor Ro .
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