Grade 2 Forward Gal Part of GP Stakes Bonanza

The seven furlong sprint race for three year-old fillies is led by 6/5 morning line favorite Cathryn Sophia who posted superior speed figures as a juvenile while annihilating her competition in two starts. Just how dominate was the John Servis trainee? The daughter of Street Boss led at every point-of-call, winning her debut by over 12 lengths and following that effort with a 16 1/4-length decimation of stakes foes in the $100,000 Gin Talking Stakes December 15 at Laurel Park. Cathryn Sophia earned exemplary Beyer Speed figures of 92 and 94, and has worked exceptionally well from her Palm Meadows base, including a bullet five furlong drill January 16 in 59.03 seconds.

Island Saint tactics could influence race shape

Island Saint (3/1), also a front-runner, may have to resort to other tactics in the interest of self-preservation. The Todd Pletcher trainee will be ridden by John Velazquez, and could impact the race if ridden aggressively from the gate. The daughter of Speightstown was a gate-to-wire winner last out, taking a $75,000 optional claiming event December 11 at Gulfstream.

Casse runner could be live on surface switch

Conquest Babayaga (7/2) will be making her first start on dirt after winning a maiden special weight event and finishing second in a stakes race over the Polytrack at Woodbine last fall. The daughter of Uncle Mo showed the ability to stalk and pounce as a juvenile and is well-bred for the switch. She has worked forwardly on dirt for her three year-old debut.