I'm Already Sexy seeks title defense at Kentucky Downs

Kentucky Downs concludes its brief, all-turf meeting Saturday with a marathon 13-race program that includes three open stakes.

The deepest of the trio is the $300,000 Kentucky Downs Ladies Turf over a mile, where I'm Already Sexy defends her title over her Mint Julep H. (G3) conqueror Kiss Moon. Defeated by a head in the June 6 Mint Julep at Churchill Downs, I'm Already Sexy subsequently captured the Eatontown (G3) by a half-length and ran second in the Matchmaker (G3), both at Monmouth Park.

A three-length winner of this race a year ago as the even-money favorite, I'm Already sexy is one of only two in the field with experience over this unique layout.

Kiss Moon has raced just once since the Mint Julep, disappointing in the $100,000 West Virginia Senate President's Cup August 3 after setting a fast, contested pace. A return to the stalk-and-pounce tactics that were successful in the Mint Julep might help in this speed-laden field.

Stepping up to face older fillies for the first time is Sunset Glow, one of last year's leading juveniles when she captured the Del Mar Debutante (G1) and placed in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1) and Albany (G2) at Royal Ascot. The Wesley Ward charge has dropped all four outings this term, though, with three stakes placings and a fourth in the Del Mar Oaks (G1) in her latest outing.

Bitty Kitty has not placed in any stakes appearance to date, but is undoubtedly better than what she showed when far back throughout in the Mint Julep. The Brendan Walsh-trained mare captured an allowance over this course a year ago and is a threat to rebound.

Lori's Store invades from Gulfstream where she exits back-to-back victories in the $75,000 Spook Express and $75,000 Soaring Softly for trainer Marty Wolfson.

The capable but inconsistent Honey Lake will attempt to take down a second stakes win in a row in the $300,000 Kentucky Downs Ladies Marathon. The Dynaformer mare has won two of four starts, including a mild upset of the $85,000 CTT & TOC H. at Del Mar over 1 3/8 miles August 21. Honey Lake has a victory over the course, but was a nondescript eighth in this event last season.

Dido, runner-up in the CTT & TOC as well as the $100,000 River Memories at Belmont, enters in solid form, while Courtesan looks to rebound from a pair of unplaced efforts following a win in a division of the $58,000 Keertana at Churchill. Multiple Grade 3-placed Maria Maria is also a logical threat.

The final stakes of the meet is the $200,000 Dueling Grounds Oaks for three-year-old fillies at 1 5/16 miles. Likely favorites include Return to Grace, who placed in the Regret (G3) and Pucker Up (G3); Heath, narrowly beaten by Lady Eli in the $200,000 Wonder Again two back; and Dating Lady Luck, second and third in two recent allowance attempts at Saratoga.

(I'm Already Sexy photo: David Owens/Equi-Photo)