DISTAFF DIARY
APRIL 6, 2006
by Jennifer Caldwell
SWEET SYMPHONY (A.P. Indy) made a name for herself last year when taking the
Alabama S. (G1) over Ashland S. (G1) victress Sis City (Slew City Slew), as well
as Grade 2 winners R Lady Joy (Vicar), Spun Sugar (Awesome Again) and For All We
Know (Stephen Got Even). She was put on the shelf after finishing ninth in the
Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1) and made her return to the races on March 25 in the
Rampart H. (G2). Set at Gulfstream Park, the nine-furlong test was supposed to
be Sweet Symphony’s race to lose, and the Bill Mott trainee did just that.
Rating in second throughout the Rampart, Sweet Symphony looked to be in good
striking position entering the stretch. However, OONAGH MACCOOL (Ire) (Giant’s
Causeway) was moving along too good to be denied, swinging wide into the stretch
and pulling off the 2 1/2-length victory. Trained by Todd Pletcher, the chestnut
miss was making just her third U.S. start in the Rampart and got off to a bad
start in her graded debut. Exiting from post 2, Oonagh Maccool had to be
steadied by jockey Rafael Bejarano as she broke in and Eyes on Eddy (Touch Gold)
broke out from the rail. The near collision never seemed to affect the eventual
winner, who earned a career-best 105 BRIS Speed rating for her score.
Sweet Symphony made a really good return off a four-month vacation, finishing
seven lengths clear of third place and earning a 102 Speed figure, her best
since garnering a 108 for her Alabama win.
On the same day, Aqueduct saw a field of six go in the Distaff Breeders’ Cup
H. (G2). What was supposed to be an easy win for 1-2 favorite SMOKEY GLACKEN
(Majesty’s Crown) turned into a fight to the finish as runner-up MAGNOLIA
JACKSON (Cape Canaveral) made her rival earn the victory. Smokey Glacken
stumbled at the start, but immediately moved up to battle it out on the front
end with pacesetter Flame of Love (Not for Love) through the half-mile, with
Magnolia Jackson never far back. Turning into the stretch, Flame of Love began
backing up and the match was on. Smokey Glacken ran on the outside while
Magnolia Jackson took advantage of a close rail trip. Neither position lasted
very long, though, with Smokey Glacken drifting out in the final yards and
Magnolia Jackson coming out a bit as well. In the end, it was Smokey Glacken who
had a neck in front at the wire, garnering a 101 Speed figure in the process.
Magnolia Jackson gave a very good accounting of herself, and could do a lot more
in her next start.
FLEET INDIAN (Indian Charlie) went up against Sweet Symphony last year in the
Alabama, running fifth, and made her return to graded competition a nice
one-length score in the Next Move H. (G3) at Aqueduct.on March 26 Though up
against only three rivals in the nine-furlong test, the dark bay mare waited
just in behind the pacesetting NO SLEEP (Robyn Dancer) before taking over in the
stretch for the win. What was most impressive was her 109 Speed rating, the best
of her career, and the fact that she was taking her third straight win while
making her first start for Pletcher, her third new trainer from her past three
starts. Fleet Indian will be really tough after getting settled into her newest
conditioner’s barn.
No Sleep didn’t do so bad herself in her stakes debut her. The $35,000 former
claimer has found a new home in the barn of Gary Contessa and now owns five wins
from seven starts under Contessa’s tutelage. FLAMING HEART (Touch Gold) has
finished off the board only once during her career, and in the Next Move was
just a length back of Fleet Indian at the wire. She could breakthrough at any
moment.
SHOW ME YOUR GLORY (Alphabet Soup) showed plenty of talent last Saturday,
taking the lead in the Harry W. Henson Breeders’ Cup H. at Sunland Park and
pulling off for an easy 5 1/4-length victory. She’s always been competitive
against stakes company, but the Henry Dominguez-trained five-year-old posted a
stellar 101 Speed rating, which topped her next higher number of 91, and could
take the next step up into graded company for her next one.
This weekend’s races focus mainly on preps for Triple Crown candidates, but
the distaffers will get their say as well in Saturday’s Apple Blossom H. (G1). ROUND POND (Awesome Again) and
HAPPY TICKET (Anet), the one-two finishers in the recent Azeri Breeders’ Cup
(G3), have been expected to line-up for a rematch, but Round Pond’s status is
now up in the air due to concerns of trainer John Servis over her weight assignment.