One day after teaming up to take the Lane’s End S. (G2) with Hold Me Back
(Giant’s Causeway), trainer Bill Mott and jockey Kent Desormeaux were back in
the winner’s circle following a graded stakes, this time with Swettenham Stud’s
DRESS REHEARSAL (Ire) (Galileo [Ire]) at the conclusion of Sunday’s $150,000
Orchid S.
(G3) at Gulfstream Park. The 2-1 second choice in a field of six fillies and
mares, Dress Rehearsal took over from 3-5 favorite Criticism (GB)
(Machiavellian) in the stretch and drew off to a convincing 2 3/4-length win over a
course labeled good. She brought back $6.20, $3.40 and $2.10 while topping the
$28.80 exacta, $44.60 trifecta and $167.20 superfecta (5-6-4-2).
Julia Tuttle (Giant’s Causeway) drew off to lead by as much as seven lengths
while setting splits of :23 3/5, :46 4/5 and 1:11 1/5, but she was effectively
through after a mile as Criticism inherited the lead racing the down the
backside a second time. The favorite maintained her advantage through a mile
split of 1:38 and 10 furlongs in 2:03 2/5, but became noticeably leg-weary
through the final furlong as Dress Rehearsal ranged along side and drew away
with confidence, completing 1 1/2 miles in 2:29 3/5.
Criticism eventually yielded to 9-2 third choice Lamentation (GB) (Singspiel
[Ire]), who finished 1 1/4 lengths clear in second, returning $4.60 and $2.20.
Criticism barely held third by a head over 43-1 chance Favorite Fantasy (Richter
Scale), and gave back the mandatory minimum of $2.10. Following Favorite Fantasy
were Laguna Plateada (Chi) (Sir Cat) and Julia Tuttle. Empiress (Empire Maker)
and Pastel Gal (Lemon Drop Kid) were withdrawn.
Dress Rehearsal entered the Orchid a veteran of only seven races. Unplaced in
her debut in Ireland in October 2007, she returned to win a Naas maiden in her
second start of 2008, then captured the Martin Molony S. at Limerick. Unplaced
in the Lancashire Oaks (Eng-G2) prior to her importation, Dress Rehearsal won at
first asking in this country when taking an allowance/optional claimer at Tampa
Bay Downs on January 18. Most recently, she had been 2 1/2 lengths second to
Criticism in The Very One S. (G3) at Gulfstream. Her line now reads 8-4-2-0,
$195,885.
Bred in Ireland by Sunderland Holdings, Dress Rehearsal was produced from
Sassenach (Night Shift), making her a half-sister to stakes winner Fairy of the
Night (Danehill). This is the family of multiple Group 1 queen Daryaba (Ire)
(Night Shift), who captured the 1999 Prix de Diane (French Oaks) (Fr-G1) and
Prix Vermeille (Fr-G1).
Dress Rehearsal sold for $381,030 as a Goffs Orby
Yearling in 2006.