BELMONT Take Charge Paula back sprinting

ELMONT, N.Y. – Though not considered part of the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival, there is a 10-race card here Sunday topped by the $150,000 Jersey Girl Stakes, as the second half of the Belmont Park springsummer meeting begins.

After a last-place finish in the Kentucky Oaks at 1 1/8 miles, Take Charge Paula will return to sprinting in the six-furlong Jersey Girl for 3-year-old fillies.

Take Charge Paula has won sprint stakes at Delaware Park and Laurel, and two at Gulfstream, including the Grade 3 Forward Gal on Feb. 3. She finished second in the Davona Dale at a mile and in the Gulfstream Park Oaks at 1 1/16 miles before the Kentucky Oaks debacle.

“I’m going to draw a line through the race,” trainer Kiaran McLaughlin said. “A) that’s twice at Churchill she ran terrible, and B) the mile and an eighth. We’re backing up to six furlongs, she’s doing very well, and we hope that she rebounds.”

McLaughlin, who took over Take Charge Paula’s training following her 2-year-old season, added blinkers for her try in the Kentucky Oaks, but said he might cut them back for the Jersey Girl. Take Charge Paula is drawn in post 6 in the sevenhorse field, and that should give jockey Paco Lopez options in the early going.

Devine Mischief, a recent allowance winner at Churchill Downs, has the rail, while Sower, 2 for 2, appears to be the speed of the race. Sower has won both of her races in Maryland, and this would be a class test for the daughter of Flatter.

“She’s got plenty of speed,” trainer Linda Rice said. “She hasn’t rated off the pace yet. I have to take a look at the race. It’s back a little quicker than we’d like, but I thought we’d take a look.”

Trainer Rudy Rodriguez has the uncoupled entry of Strategic Dreams and Lezendary. Buy Sell Hold and Pacific Gale complete the field.

KEY CONTENDERS

Take Charge Paula, by Take Charge Indy Last 3 Beyers: 34-80-80

◗ She is a four-time stakes winner sprinting, including twice at six furlongs.

◗ Lopez was aboard for all five of her wins. Devine Mischief, by Into Mischief Last 3 Beyers: 82-74-75

◗ Scored a front-running victory in a first-level allowance going seven furlongs at Churchill Downs on Kentucky Oaks Day, May 4.

◗ Hold Her Tight, the filly who beat her in April, was beaten a neck in a stakes at Prairie Meadows on Thursday.

Lezendary, by Zensational Last 3 Beyers: 60-85-80

◗ Dominated the Cicada Stakes at Aqueduct in March but most recently finished fifth in the Grade 3 Miss Preakness on a sloppy track at Pimlico.

◗ Blew out a sold half-mile here Thursday.