Free Like a Girl Seeks Elusive Graded Win in Houston LC

Nineteen stakes victories and more than $2.1 million in earnings have made Free Like a Girl  one of the most successful Louisiana-breds in history, but a graded stakes victory has remained elusive. She aims to check that box Jan. 25 in the $300,000 Houston Ladies Classic Stakes (G3) at Sam Houston Race Park.

The 6-year-old daughter of El Deal  has proven herself among the best with placings in both the Apple Blossom Handicap (G1) and La Troienne Stakes (G1) last spring. The 1 1/16-mile distance returns her to a preferred two turns after running fourth in a Louisiana-bred sprint last month. She is 6-1 on the morning line for trainer Chasey Pomier, who co-owns the mare with Gerald Bruno Jr. and Jerry Caroom.

Likewise, Jeffry and Julie Puryear's Miss Code West  has dominated in her native state of Oklahoma and is taking her first step into graded company, having placed twice at the listed level for trainer Kevin Scholl.

One of those defeats was against Full of Fun Racing Two and Madaket Stables' Alpine Princess  in the Sept. 29 Remington Park Oaks. The Classic Empire  filly was a 9 3/4-length winner off a six-month layoff and bounced back to run a close second in the Nov. 30 Comely Stakes (G3) at Aqueduct Racetrack. She is the 9-5 favorite for trainer Brad Cox.

Other contenders include grade 2 winner Hoosier Filly and a trio of Steve Asmussen trainees led by stakes winner Our Pretty Woman , who returns from a seven-month layoff.