Paulassilverlining Enters Humana Distaff in Top Form

After winning the Madison Stakes (G1) last month in her debut for new owner Juddmonte Farms and trainer Chad Brown, Paulassilverlining will try for a second straight grade 1 win when she starts in the $300,000 Humana Distaff Stakes May 6 at Churchill Downs.

The field of seven fillies and mares sets up another strong edition of the seven-furlong test, as last year's Acorn Stakes (G1) winner Carina Mia is scheduled for her 4-year-old debut and 2016 champion female sprinter Finest City is entered in what would be her first start outside of Kentucky. Based on the weather, there is a chance Finest City could be scratched in favor of the May 5 La Troienne Stakes presented by Spirited Funds (G1) at Churchill, where she is cross-entered.

While the connections of Finest City will wait to make their final decision, Paulassilverlining is in for Saturday's test, where the 5-year-old Ghostzapper   mare will start from post 2. In her seasonal debut in the Madison on April 8 at Keeneland, Paulassilverlining rallied from fourth to score a narrow victory over Constellation.

NOVAK: Paulassilverlining Game in Madison

Juddmonte privately purchased Paulassilverlining after she closed out last season with a win in the Garland of Roses Stakes for previous owner and breeder Vincent Scuderi and trainer Michelle Nevin. While the Madison was her first score at the highest level, Paulassilverlining registered six stakes wins, including four graded scores, for her previous connections.

"She's pretty straightforward. She was sent to me in excellent condition from the previous trainer, and she ran an outstanding race right off the bat for us and has trained well since," Brown said. "All-around she's a pretty easy horse to train. She's a pleasure to have in the barn."

Three Chimneys Farm's Carina Mia drew the outside post for her 4-year-old debut. Last season the daughter of Malibu Moon   won the Eight Belles Stakes (G2) sprinting seven furlongs at Churchill ahead of her victory in the Acorn.

BALAN: Carina Mia Closes to Win Acorn

Carina Mia will make her first start since finishing ninth in the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (G1) Nov. 5 at Santa Anita Park. Doug Cauthen, vice chairman of Three Chimneys Farm, said Carina Mia had an entrapped epiglottis in that race. Since then she has had surgery followed by the time off.

Since April 11 Carina Mia has breezed four times for Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott, and earned the bullet in three of those efforts, including a three-furlong move in :34 4/5 May 2 at Churchill.

While Carina Mia struggled in the Filly & Mare Sprint, Seltzer Thoroughbreds' Finest City secured her biggest win to date in the seven-furlong test. The daughter of City Zip   opened her 5-year-old campaign with a victory in the Santa Monica Stakes (G2) in January at Santa Anita followed by a runner-up finish in the Santa Margarita Stakes (G1) there.

BALAN: Finest City Dazzles in Santa Monica

With rain forecast for May 5 and May 6, trainer Eric Kruljac said he will watch the weather and track conditions before ultimately deciding which slot Finest City starts.

Humana Distaff S. (G1)

Churchill Downs, Saturday, May 06, 2017, Race 6

• 7f
• Dirt
• $300,000
• 4 yo's & up Fillies and Mares
• 1:13 PM (local)

PP	Horse	Jockey	Wgt	Trainer	M/L
1	1Super Humor (ON)	Florent Geroux	118	Eric R. Reed	20/1
2	2Paulassilverlining (KY)	Jose L. Ortiz	123	Chad C. Brown	7/2
3	3Mines and Magic (KY)	Joel Rosario	118	Victoria H. Oliver	15/1
4	4Sweetgrass (KY)	Chris Landeros	118	Ian R. Wilkes	15/1
5	5Finest City (PA)	Mike E. Smith	123	Ian Kruljac	8/5
6	6Lightstream (KY)	Javier Castellano	120	Brian A. Lynch	5/1
7	7Carina Mia (KY)	Julien R. Leparoux	118	William I. Mott	2/1