By Allan Gray

Annabill vs. Bayou’s Lassie round two!

My Charmer Handicap (G3) – Calder , FL Race 8 - Saturday

The top two finishers in the Heubeck Distaff meet up again in the My Charmer Handicap. Ann abill , trained by Milton Wolfson, was victorious last time after a great stalking trip catching Bayou’s Lassie at the wire. Ann abill will now put a three race win streak on the line with only her second trip on the grass.

In her one and only race on the green stuff, Ann abill once again stalked the leaders in fourth and went four wide to catch the leader Running Lass who snuck through along the rail.

Although victorious in their last meeting, Ann abill will have to concede experience on the grass to Bayou’s Lassie who is five of seven in the money on the turf. Bayou’s Lassie feels at home on the Calder turf course having won three in a row last year before just missing in the My Charmer Handicap last year to Amorama, then coming back to win the grade three Francis Genter Stakes.

Bayou’s Lassie, trained by Christophe Clement, likes to run at the front but might not be alone this time with Beautiful Daniele invading from up north. Beautiful Daniel is coming into the My Charmer off a disappointing trip in the grade three Athenia Handicap at Belmont on a yielding turf course. Trained by Bill Mott, Beautiful Daniele should have a much better trip this time.

J’ray , trained by Todd Pletcher, finished second to Bayou’s Lassie in last year’s Francis Genter and could also be there.

Romance and Sweet take on the Tough chick

Bayakoa Handicap (G2) – Hollywood Park , CA , Race 8 - Saturday

Romance is Diane destroyed the field in the California Cup Matron winning by six lengths. Taking the lead going into the first turn jockey Michael Baze was able to rate Romance is Diane perfectly, leaving plenty to kick away going into the stretch.

Trained by Mike Mitchell, Romance is Diane is three of six in the money this year and will have her work cut out for her as she goes against graded company. A horse that likes to run on or near the front, Romance is Diane will not be alone this time if Sugar Shake has anything to say about it.

Sugar Shake has won three graded stakes this year from that very position. Sugar Shake, trained by Bob Frankel, is coming into the Bayakoa with an easy win in the grade three Turnback the Alarm Handicap at Aqueduct.

Tough Tiz’s Sis will try to rebound from a disappointing try at the Breeders’ Cup Distaff. Winner of the grade one Lady’s Secret and the grade 2 Hollywood Breeders’ Cup Oaks, Tough Tiz’s Sis could be tough considering the class of horse she has been running against.

Best from the Lone Star State

Texas Champions’ Day at Sam Houston – Saturday

Manitoba Lotteries Derby contender I Spy Wolfie will take on older horses in the Star of Texas Stakes at Sam Houston. The Star of Texas is the eighth race on the card that features eight stakes attracting the best Texas breds running right now.