Alexa’s Lodge fancied in knotty Millard Ziadie Memorial

ALEXA'S LODGE returns off a tricky lay-up, almost three months, facing a dangerous bunch, but could pull off the coup in Sunday's Millard Ziadie Memorial at five and a half furlongs.

A smooth run-on sprinter, ALEXA'S LODGE, now a five-year-old mare, last raced November 28, finishing an eased-down sixth behind down-in-class GOD OF LOVE at five and a half furlongs. It was her second attempt in overnight-allowance company, narrowly beaten by NUCLEAR NOON at five furlongs round three weeks prior.

ALEXA'S LODGE had won her two previous races, a quick double to slice through non-winners-of-three and non-fours within a month of reporting off a five-month break. Though ALEXA'S LODGE class can't be disputed, lay-ups can be tricky, especially returning against in-form sprinters, making the event a knotty one to decipher.

Runners such as nine-year-old DUNROBIN, tricky EL PROFESOR, and GENERATIONAL, who performed way above himself off the claim for connections who consistently improve runners from Anthony Nunes' barn, could turn the race on its head, not to mention Gary Subratie's foreigner, SWEET N SMART.

Dane Dawkins has been holding his own atop the jockeys' standings but will have to hope Robert Pearson presents ALEXA'S LODGE in tip-top shape for her return. There isn't any terrifying speed for her to chase, unlike her rude awakening against GOD OF LOVE and GO DEH GIRL last time out. However, ring rust cannot be discounted, throwing the door open to possibilities.

DUNROBIN is like a sleeper cell, who appears to have woken up at exercise, keeping company with none other than CALCULUS. He hardly lost any ground in the stretch run of his last two races, finishing fourth and sixth, behind EAGLE ONE and SECRET IDENTITY, respectively.

Rowan Mathie does too well with horses claimed from Anthony Nunes for GENERATIONAL to be written off. GENERATIONAL chased SECRET IDENTITY into the lane on last, finishing fourth, after being snapped up on a $550,000 tag in December.

EL PROFESOR's trainer, Patrick Lynch, has more patience than Job. EL PROFESOR was only beaten by EAGLE ONE on January 8 and had GO DEH GIRL behind him. Do not underestimate EL PROFESOR at five and a half furlongs. He placed fifth in the grade one Gold Cup last October behind CALCULUS and FURTHER AND BEYOND, whose rider had lost stirrup.