Miss Grillo

"She really engaged and switched gears. From there, I thought she got the job done," understated journeyman Flavien Prat about his mount, 7-1 Hard to Justify (f, 2, Justify-Instant Reflex, by Quality Road), in Wednesday's rescheduled 'Win and You're In' GII Miss Grillo S. at Belmont's Big A meet. The win, her second from two starts, gives Hard to Justify a fees-paid berth into the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf next month at Santa Anita. A big, hearty-looking filly, Hard to Justify broke powerfully and cleanly from the inside...

Trainer Chad Brown will have two chances--led by even-money morning-line favorite McKulick (GB) (Frankel {GB})--for his ninth GII Miss Grillo S. victory Saturday. McKulick, named for the late Mary McKulick, a longtime office manager and bookkeeper for Brown, kicked home nicely from fifth to graduate over three next-out winners, including runner-up stablemate Consumer Spending (More Than Ready), at the Spa on debut Aug. 8. She is drawn widest of all in post six for the Miss Grillo. Brown will also saddle Kinchen (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}), who finished an...

Unbeaten Plum Ali (First Samurai) looks to keep her perfect record in tact Sunday in Belmont's GII Miss Grillo S. A debut winner going two turns at Saratoga July 23, the chestnut captured the Mint Juvenile Fillies S. Sept. 7, making her the only black-type winner in the field. Brad Cox saddles a promising runner in Caldee (More Than Ready). Off the board when unveiled in a main track sprint at the Spa July 19, the bay romped by 6 3/4 lengths next out when switched to the turf and...