Leigh Court (Grand Slam), winner of the Mardi Gras S. sprinting over the Fair Grounds turf course Feb. 9, has emerged from that effort none the worse for wear and connections are planning an ambitious campaign into the spring and summer months.
“She came out of it in good shape and looks good,” said trainer Mike Stidham, who trains Leigh Court for Speedway Stable LLC. “Our goal is to have her fresh and healthy going into the spring and summer because once we get out of here and up to Keeneland there are races for her there. This summer, we'll take her with our string to Arlington. She seems to prefer the synthetic and turf, so we'll look at races on those surfaces. Woodbine and Arlington have a few races and as a long-range goal we're looking at races like the [GI $700,000] Just a Game [S.] at Belmont. It's a one-turn mile on the grass and that–though a tough spot–might suit her as far as distance and surface.”
Last year's Just a Game was won by future champion Tepin (Bernstein).
Canada's Sovereign Award-winning 3-year-old filly of 2013, Leigh Court won the GII Thoroughbred Club of America S. at Keeneland in 2014, then was sold to Speedway for $1 million from the Melnyk at the Fasig-Tipton November sale. The Mardi Gras win was the mare's first in four runs for her new owners, having finished eighth in defense of her TCA title Oct. 3.
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