Sam's Sister Stands Out in Barbara Fritchie

Multiple graded stakes winner Sam's Sister appears the one to beat in the $300,000 Barbara Fritchie Handicap (gr. II) from Laurel Park Feb. 14.



Fresh off of a 1 1/4 length victory in the Santa Monica Stakes (gr. II) at Santa Anita Park Jan. 19, Sam's Sister will be seeking her sixth win from seven career starts for owners Mark Dedomenico, Jerry Hollendorfer and George Todaro.



Hollendorfer trains the 4-year-old filly by Brother Derek who scored in her debut at Del Mar in a maiden special weight last July 25.



She remained undefeated through her first three starts, with allowance victories Aug. 30 at Del Mar and Oct. 13 at Santa Anita before her lone defeat. She finished last of eight in an allowance race on the turf, her only start on grass, at Del Mar Nov. 21.



Back on the dirt, Sam's Sister became a grade I winner when she rallied from off the pace to take the La Brea Stakes over 3-year-old fillies by a half length Dec. 26 at Santa Anita. She proved it was no fluke when she scored as the 6-5 favorite in the Santa Monica three weeks later. Both the Santa Monica and a Brea are at the Fritchie distance of seven furlongs.



"We liked this race when we saw it on the schedule, because of the distance, which is right now her best distance because we haven't stretched her out yet, and the time between her last race worked out good," said Dan Ward, Hollendorfer's assistant who will be at Laurel to saddle Sam's Sister. "She's training very well, so we thought we would try one more time at seven furlongs."



Sam's Sister will be the starting highweight in the Fritchie carrying 123 pounds while spotting her 10 rivals anywhere from seven to 11 pounds. Jockey Elvis Trujillo, who has ridden Sam's Sister in all six starts, will be aboard once again, breaking from post 10.



Sam's Sister will be trying to give Hollendorfer his first win in the Fritchie.



One trainer who seems to know how to win the Fritchie is Mike Hushion.



Based in New York, Hushion has trained the winner of this Maryland feature three times in the past seven years, including saddling the winner last year when My Wandy's Girl prevailed. He also won the 2008 and the 2011 editions with Golden Dawn and Harissa, respectively.



This year he will try to win it with Princess Violet, who has won four of eight career starts for owner-breeder Barry K. Schwartz.



"I've been pointing to this race for three months," Hushion said.



In her last start, Princess Violet finished second in the Go for Wand Handicap (gr. III) at Aqueduct Racetrack Nov. 28 when she was beaten by a nose as the 2-1 favorite. Prior to that, the New York-bred filly by Officer won the Empire Distaff Handicap at Belmont Park Oct. 18.



The 4-year-old filly, who is named after Hushion's 4-year-old granddaughter, will be seeking her first graded stakes score in the Barbara Fritchie. Princess Violet will break from the rail under Jose Ortiz carrying 115 pounds.



West Point Thoroughbreds will be represented by Toasting. In her last start, the 5-year-old mare finished fourth as the second choice in the Florida Sunshine Millions Distaff Stakes at Gulfstream Park Jan. 17.



Marty Wolfson-trained Best Behavior is another Gulfstream Park invader; she finished second behind Wedding Toast in the Miami Shores Handicap Jan. 7.