O’Neill starts 3 in 1st Juvenile Turf race of season Friday

The first 2-year-old race on turf goes as Friday’s opener on an eight-race card. The five-furlong event for fillies drew a field of seven led by 5-2 morning line favorite Lee’s Baby Girl, who is one of three entered for trainer Doug O’Neill.

Lee’s Baby Girl is by Malibu Moon. Owned by The Del Mar Group, O’Neill plucked Lee’s Baby Girl out of the 2023 Keeneland September yearling sale for $55,000. She has worked four times since May 5, including a half-mile move from the gate in 47.80 seconds on Sunday. It was the fourth-fastest of 72 moves at the

“She’s probably the most advanced of the three,” O’Neill said. “Pretty good gate speed and a lot of class.”

Lee’s Baby Girl will start from post two under Antonio Fresu.

Also set to go for The Del Mar Group is What About Q (3-1), who is from the first crop of 2020 Belmont and Travers winner Tiz the Law. O’Neill purchased What About Q for $50,000 at the same sale as Lee’s Baby Girl.

What About Q has worked five times, including a four-furlong gate move Sunday in 48.20 seconds.

“She’s another nice filly, but my gut tells me she’ll need a race or two to see her best,” O’Neill said. What About Q, who drew post six, will have Edwin Maldonado aboard.

O’Neill third starter is Press Your Luck, a California-bred by I’ll Have Another for owners Here We Go Brother. Reddam Racing bred the filly. Press Your Luck, who is 15-1 on the morning line, has worked four times for her debut. Last Saturday, she went four furlongs from the gate in 48.80 seconds. Press Your Luck will be ridden by Abdul Alsagoor.

“All three are nice fillies,” O’Neill said.

Post time for Friday’s first race is 4 p.m.