Gardenia

Apple Blossom H. (G1) winner DREAM OF SUMMER (Siberian Summer) heads a field
of nine entered for Saturday’s $150,000 Gardenia H. (G3), the lone graded stakes
race of the season at Ellis Park. The six-year-old Juan Garcia trainee has
missed the board just once in her last 10 starts, that coming as a fourth-place
finish in the B Thoughtful S. last out, but the versatile mare has been in
career-best form this year. She began her season with third-place finishes in
the Kalookan Queen H. and Sunshine Millions Distaff S. before losing a head bob
in the Santa Margarita H. (G1) to Tarlow (Stormin Fever). She followed that up
with her Apple Blossom win before faltering last time, but we’re optimistic
about this start, her first at the one-mile Gardenia distance. Corey Nakatani
will make his first trip to the Henderson, Kentucky, oval to ride.

TEMPUS FUGIT (Alphabet Soup) rates a serious threat to our top selection as
the bay mare enters off a bullet five-furlong work and is a specialist at the
distance (6-5-0-0). The five-year-old multiple stakes winner has tremendous
upset potential, and we’ll use her in all levels of the exotics.

HALORY LEIGH (Halory Hunter) will make her first start of 2005 in the
Gardenia for trainer Dale Romans. The multiple Grade 2 winner has won her last
three, but the near nine-month layoff is a question. We’ll use the five-year-old
in the gimmicks, but she may need a start before crossing the wire first.

SLEWPY’S STORM (Storm Creek) has won her last two, both stakes races, but
takes a significant step up in class here. We’ll have to go against her chances
for the win, but she may be a nice horse to use underneath in the exotics. SOUTHERN SURPRISE (Northern Prospect) is also in good form, but the
six-year-old enters in much the same way as Slewpy’s Storm — a winner of her last
two but perhaps outclassed. We’ll also have the bay filling out the trifectas
and superfectas.

MISS FORTUNATE (Deputy Minister) has not started since a fifth-place finish
in the Next Move H. (G3) in March, and we’ll give the talented stakes winner a
race. KRISTY BEETHOVEN (Kris S.) will make her graded debut in this spot and
we’ll have to let her beat us.

JOSH’S MADELYN (Quiet American) has not made it to the winner’s circle in
five attempts this year and we don’t envision it happening here. QUICK TEMPER (A.P.
Indy) would have to improve dramatically to factor against these.