Fioretti makes title defense in Thoroughbred Club of America

Fioretti, who parlayed a front-running trip into a 17-1 upset last year, will defend her title against seven foes in Saturday’s $250,000 Thoroughbred Club of America (G2) at Keeneland. The 6-furlong event serves as a “Win & You’re In” for the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (G1).

A 6-year-old daughter of Bernardini, Fioretti provided trainer Anthony Hamilton Jr. and jockey Sophie Doyle with their first graded victory when capturing last year’s TCA. She proceeded to drop her next six starts, including five unplaced finishes, but will return to Keeneland on the upswing after posting a 14-1 win in the September 17 Open Mind at Churchill Downs.

Multiple Grade 2 queen Stonetastic is a major player for conditioner Kelly Breen. Freshened since a 6 ¾-length victory in the July 30 Regret at Monmouth, the 5-year-old mare has captured 3-of-5 starts this year and finished second in the Humana Distaff (G1). She’ll be winging it from the start with regular rider Paco Lopez.

Sarah Sis likes the track, winning the 2015 Raven Run (G2) at Keeneland, and the 4-year-old filly exits a wire-to-wire upset in the September 19 Presque Isle Masters (G2). Jose Valdivia Jr. rides the Ingrid Mason trainee. A winner in 3-of-4 career starts, Bendable ships east and tries graded rivals for the first time. The Richard Mandella-trained sophomore filly exits a 2 ¼-length tally in the September 11 Beverly J. Lewis at Los Alamitos and adds the services of Jose Ortiz.

Grade 3 vixen I’m a Looker can’t be dismissed from consideration and Princess Rooney (G2) winner Spelling Again adds further depth. Irish Jasper and Meshell complete the line-up.

Fioretti photo courtesy of Coady Photography