Arnold Hoping to Roll Out Options for Red Carpet Ready

Trainer Rusty Arnold is hoping for a return to peak form from Ashbrook Farm and Upland Flats Racing's graded stakes winner Red Carpet Ready  when she races against the Louisiana-bred speedster Ova Charged  in the $250,000 Kentucky Downs Preview Ladies Turf Sprint Stakes Aug. 3 at Ellis Park.

Following a win in the Hurricane Bertie Stakes (G3) at Gulfstream Park to kick off her 4-year-old season, Red Carpet Ready faded to third in Keeneland's Madison Stakes (G1) after setting a blistering and contested pace from her inside post. In her next start, she weakened to eighth in the Derby City Distaff Stakes (G1) most recently when racing on the Kentucky Derby (G1) undercard at Churchill Downs.

Saturday's race will mark her first start on grass. If she handles the Ellis turf, she will advance to the $1.5 million Kentucky Downs Ladies Turf Sprint (G2T) Aug. 31.

"If we don't handle the turf right, we'll probably point for the Thoroughbred Club of America at Keeneland," Arnold said. "This gives us an idea of where we want to take her, where she wants to go. She's ready; doesn't have an excuse. We'll leave there tomorrow knowing whether she wants to run next on the turf or dirt."

Being by Mill Ridge Farm stallion Oscar Performance   and having a half sibling that has won on turf, it is not a stretch to think Red Carpet Ready might relish turf racing.

"Yeah, yeah," Arnold said. "We just hope she reads the pedigree."