Miss Guts Hitting Stride

A couple of months ago, Miss Guts looked like a filly who may never win a race.

Now, it seems like the 3-year-old daughter of American Chance might never lose again.

A nine-time loser against maidens, including four defeats as the favorite, Miss Guts has blossomed in the last five weeks.

After finally earning her maiden victory by a length at 5-2 on March 6, she has beaten $40,000 claimers by 11 lengths, then switching to the turf, she re-rallied to win by three-quarters by a length over perfect tripper Anima Mundi as the 2-1 second choice.

She has three victories in a span of 23 days and she’ll try to keep the streak going today as she takes on seven other 3-year-old fillies at about 61/2 furlongs on the turf. The race is the second leg of a pick six that has a massive carryover of $462,042.78.

Since her last race, Miss Guts has had a change of address. She was purchased privately from Barry Abrams by owner Lloyd DeBruycker and is now in the John Sadler barn.

Her main opposition in the $53,000 race figures to come from Carinae, who disappointed as the favorite in the La Habra Stakes last month, but who fits off her first start in this country.

Race of the day: California shippers Thady Quill and Touch Of The Blues are part of a classy field in the $200,000 Maker’s Mark Mile at Keeneland.

Who’s hot: California shippers. Horses based in the state won three races at Keeneland under jockey Kent Desormeaux (Beefeater Baby, Tates Creek and Sharbayan) and the Ian Jory-trained Explicit won the $150,000 Count Fleet Sprint Handicap at Oaklawn Park.

Who’s not: John Quiles and Scott Everett. The two trainers, who compete in New York, are a combined 0 for 43 in 2002.

Exotically speaking: A pick three using Test The Waters, Mabel Kent and Con Spirito in the seventh, Missionairess, Seream and Emerald Monique in the eighth and Greeley Creek and Love Factor in the ninth.

Winners: Previous day/meet Total: 4/215. Money: Previous day/meet Total: $23.20/$1,250.20. Total money bet: $1,322.