Maiden is a player in Cinema

The maiden Flatoutcountry could be the chief threat to stakes winners She’s Shiney and Dicey in the $55,000 Cinema Stakes on Monday at Will Rogers Downs.

The Cinema is a mile race for 3-year-old fillies bred in Oklahoma.

She’s Shiney should go favored in the seven-horse field. The winner of last year’s Oklahoma Classics Lassie at Remington Park, she is coming off an allowance sprint win over statebreds March 25 at Will Rogers.

Flatoutcountry could start as the second choice Monday. She’s been second and third in maiden special weight route races at Oaklawn Park in her last two starts.

“I think she’ll be pretty competitive,” trainer Shea Stuart said Friday from Oaklawn. “She’s been running against really nice horses over here. I think she should fit against statebreds, even winners, and that’s why we’re doing it.”

Flatoutcountry also gets a chance with straight 3-yearolds, noted Stuart, after one of her maiden races came against older rivals at Oaklawn.

There is some precedent for a maiden having success in a local stakes. Last year, Rookie Season won his maiden in the Will Rogers, the sister stakes to the Cinema, off a ninthplace finish in a maiden special weight at Oaklawn.

KEY CONTENDERS

Flatoutcountry, by Flat Out Last 3 Beyers: 62-62-42

◗ She has more two-turn experience than She’s Shiney. Flatoutcountry has made three starts at the configura- tion, with her latest a third- place finish after setting the pace in a 1 1/16-mile race on April 12. The last time she raced at a mile she was second by a head March 21 at Oaklawn.

“I think the mile is right up her alley,” said Stuart.

◗ Stuart trains Flatoutcountry for 7 Cedars Farm.

◗ Walter De La Cruz has the mount from post 6. She’s Shiney, by Save Big Money Last 3 Beyers: 63-62-69

◗ She led throughout winning the allowance sprint last time in her 3-year-old debut.

◗ She’s Shiney will be making her second start at two turns in the Cinema, behind a runner-up finish to Dicey in the $75,000 Slide Show on Nov. 24 at Remington.

◗ Bryan McNeil has the mount from post 7 for Adios Reality Farms and trainer Alan Williams.

DUSTIN ORONA PHOTOGRAPHY A stakes winner at 2, She’s Shiney is the likely favorite in Monday’s Cinema at Will Rogers.