Sam's Sister Heads East for $300,000 Barbara Fritchie Handicap

Sam’s Sister, the West Coast invader, has been installed as the morning line favorite at 5-2 for trainer Jerry Hollendorfer. Purchased for $125,000 as a yearling, the chestnut daughter of Brother Derek has won five of her six career starts and comes into this race off of back-to-back victories against graded stakes company. She delivered as the favorite last time out in the Santa Monica (G2) after pulling an upset in the La Brea (G1). Regular rider Elvis Trujillo will be aboard from post position ten.

Princess Violet going for first graded stakes score

Second choice at 3-1 on the morning line is Princess Violet for trainer Michael Hushion. Bred and owned by Barry Shwartz, the New York-bred daughter of Officer has been on the board in seven of her eight career starts and has four wins to her credit. The four-year-old filly was last seen finishing second by a nose in the Go For Wand (G3) in November and has been training forwardly for her seasonal debut. She will be trying to earn her first graded stakes win and will have Jose Ortiz aboard from the rail.

Toasting trying to improve in second start of the year

Also in the field at morning line odds of 10-1 is Toasting for trainer Tom Albertrani.  The stakes winning daughter of Congrats will be making her second start of the year and trying to move forward after finishing fourth in the Sunshine Millions Distaff at Gulfstream last time out. She has five career victories on her resume and won two of her ten starts last year. Sheldon Russell will be aboard and they will break from post position four.