After a strong two-year-old season, Podges Lady will try to begin this year with a stakes win in Saturday’s $86,000 Courageous Lady at Northfield Park

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Podges Lady was a three-time winner last season for trainer Joe Seekman and owner Sawgrass Farms, earning $214,700. She was second to American Jewel in divisions of the Bluegrass and Countess Adios stakes as well as the Kentuckiana Stallion Management. She was third in the American National and Sweetheart.

“Everything’s been good; she’s right on track,” Seekman said. “She’s filled out. She’s a stronger filly. She didn’t grow much in height; she’s an average-sized filly. She’s where you want her to be as far as that goes.

“She’s healthy, she’s good; if she can maintain that she’ll be good in the division.”

Podges Lady (The Panderosa-Four Starzzzz Hope) won her first three starts as a two-year-old, including a track record 1:52.1 triumph at The Meadows in a division of the Pennsylvania Sire Stakes. Seekman plans to race Podges Lady in Pennsylvania more frequently this season. In addition to the sire stakes, Podges Lady’s stakes schedule includes the Breeders Crown, the Circle City, the Keystone Classic, the Adioo Volo and the Horseman.

“We’re going to try to go to more of the Pennsylvania races with her this year and fit in some of the bigger races,” Seekman said. “I think she’ll hold her own, like last year. But you never know with two-year-olds coming back at three, it’s anybody’s guess how good they turn the corner and come back. It could go the other way.

“She takes care of herself,” he added. “If you give her a trip, she’s got a good late kick.”

Podges Lady will start from post one in the Courageous Lady, with Northfield’s leading driver, Ryan Stahl, listed at the lines.

The Courageous Lady features a field of nine three-year-old filly pacers, including Matron Stakes winner Destinys Chance -- one of four starters for trainer Ron Burke, who won both the Battle of Lake Erie and the Cleveland Classic in 2011 -- and American National champion Princess Cruiser for trainer Jim Mulinix.

Locally-based Northfield Park Wall of Famer Tye Loy will attempt to become the first trainer ever to win this event three times with Sand Latte. He won in 2009 with Sand E Fiftyfive and again in 2010 with Sand Windsor. Approximate post time for the 11th dash is 10:50 p.m.

The 2012 Courageous Lady field appears below.

Post - Horse - Trainer - Driver - Morning-Line Odds
1 - Podges Lady - Joseph Seekman - Ryan Stahl - 7-2
2 - Destinys Chance - Ron Burke - Dave Palone* - 2-1
3 - Cruzin Tothe Dance - Virgil Morgan Jr. - Dan Noble* - 10-1
4 - Princess Cruiser - Jim Mulinix - Kayne Kauffman - 8-1
5 - Frontierpan - Ron Burke - Mike Wilder - 4-1
6 - Sand Latte - Tye Loy - Aaron Merriman - 12-1
7 - Darena Hanover - Ron Burke - Dave Palone* - 6-1
8 - Blows Me Away - Sam Schillaci - Dan Noble* - 20-1
9 - Babe Per View - Ron Burke - Chris Page - 15-1

(* Requested by owner/trainer interests to drive. Palone and Noble will decide which horse to drive by 9 am Thursday, April 26)

(With files from HRC and Northfield)