FILLY & MARE TURF DIARY
JULY 1, 2009
In this edition, we’ll review all of the major stakes action since Memorial
Day weekend, and wrap up with a look at the prospective field for Sunday’s
American Oaks (G1) at Hollywood Park.
Jewel of a performance: Turf sprint star DIAMONDRELLA (GB)
Forever Together finished a solid second without ever really looking like
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Diamondrella now boasts a six-race winning streak, and it will be fascinating
to see where she will try to extend it to seven. The five-year-old bay has
established that she is no one-dimensional sprinter, yet because the Just a Game
is a one-turn mile, she remains unproven at two turns. Penna is conferring with
jockey Rajiv Maragh regarding her next target. We already know that Forever
Together is aiming to defend her title in the August 1 Diana S. (G1) at nine
furlongs. Let’s hope that Diamondrella takes the plunge at the Spa as well.
As a footnote to the Just a Game, the top three finishers — including
third-placer MY PRINCESS JESS (Stormy Atlantic) — were at the back of
the field early, and the pace factors all weakened to finish in the bottom
three, suggesting that their early exertions took a toll. Hence the Just a Game
also-rans could bounce back in different circumstances next time out, especially
fifth-place finisher CAPTAIN’S LOVER (SAf) (Captain Al).
A champion in her homeland, she captured the Cape Fillies Guineas (SAf-G1)
and Odessa Stud Fillies Championship (SAf-G2), and finished an unlucky third to
the world-class mare Dancer’s Daughter (Act One) in the Paddock S. (SAf-G1),
when her saddle slipped badly. The Team Valor International colorbearer ran
twice for Andre Fabre in France last season, defeating males in the Prix du Pin
(Fr-G3) and checking in fourth in the Prix de la Foret (Fr-G1) to Paco Boy
(Desert Style), who just won the Queen Anne S. (Eng-G1) at Royal Ascot. Now with
Todd Pletcher, Captain’s Lover was making her first start since the Foret in the
Just a Game, and she should improve considerably for the outing. She has been
entered in Friday’s Miss Liberty S. at Monmouth.
Another on a retrieval mission is Juddmonte Farms’ homebred MODERN LOOK
(GB) (Zamindar), who was a tailed-off last in the Just a Game. Bobby Frankel
is dropping her back to six furlongs in Friday’s Caress S. at Belmont.
Fantastically photogenic: She may not have Diamondrella’s flair, but
MAGICAL FANTASY (Diesis [GB]) has steadily worked her way to the top of
the heap in Southern California. Fresh off a photo-finish score in the 1
1/4-mile Santa Barbara H. (G2), the Paddy Gallagher filly cut it close again in
the 1 1/8-mile Gamely S. (G1) on May 30, but she was convincing nonetheless.
Magical Fantasy was reserved near the back of the pack off a very steady pace,
and she was clearly full of run turning for home. The chestnut found her best
stride inside the final sixteenth at Hollywood, and once she got into high gear,
she cut down the dueling pair of VISIT (GB) (Oasis Dream [GB]) and
DIAMOND DIVA (GB) (Dansili [GB]) by a neck. Magical Fantasy is much improved
since her three-year-old campaign, and at this rate, she promises to be the
leading local hope for the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1).
Visit had no visible excuse, and although she found a little extra spurt when
Magical Fantasy ranged up alongside, she could not quite stave her off. Indeed,
Visit did not even look likely to pass a resolute Diamond Diva, until Magical
Fantasy arrived on the scene. Only then did Visit thrust her nose in front of
Diamond Diva on the line. Moreover, Visit was getting six pounds from the rivals
who sandwiched her (123 to 117), and the Juddmonte homebred would have fared
worse at level weights. Perhaps nine furlongs is stretching her a bit, and a
mile might suit her better.
Diamond Diva, who may also be reaching the end of her tether at this
distance, ran a fine race in her second start back off a long layoff. The Jim
Cassidy mare puts her best foot forward in mile races with a legitimate pace,
and a title defense in the July 11 Royal Heroine Mile (formerly the CashCall)
(G2) looks to be right up her alley.
Flattering the form: BLACK MAMBA (NZ) (Black Minnaloushe), a rallying
fourth in the Gamely, predictably found nine furlongs too short for her in that
caliber of company. The John Sadler mare returned to 10 furlongs to defend her
title in Sunday’s Beverly Hills H. (G2) at Hollywood, and needed every inch of
it to reel in CHARMING LEGACY (Ire) (Danehill) by a last-gasp head.
Charming Legacy ran a massive race in defeat, since she chased a fast pace for
the distance, while Black Mamba was loping at the tail of the four-horse field
through the opening mile. Black Mamba may have given her supporters fits along
the way, but she ultimately managed to give Charming Legacy six pounds (120 to
114) and a narrow beating to finish in a quick 1:59.72.
Black Mamba was fortunate that Magical Fantasy skipped the Beverly Hills, for
she could well have lost to her for the third straight time. In any event, Black
Mamba joined an elite club of two-time Beverly Hills winners, comprising *La
Zanzara (1974-75), Swingtime (1977-78), Flawlessly (1992-93) and Astra
(2001-02). Since most of those have stakes races named in their honor in
Southern California, can a Black Mamba S. be far behind?
Sadler mentioned the August 8 Beverly D. S. (G1) at Arlington Park as a
likely objective. At 1 3/16 miles, the Beverly D. is probably still a shade
shorter than she’d prefer, especially against the top-class field that is sure
to assemble at Arlington. Looking further ahead, Sadler said that since
supplementing to the Breeders’ Cup would be expensive, the November 3 Melbourne
Cup (Aus-G1) could be on the itinerary instead. Black Mamba might be crying out
for two miles at Flemington, and she could get in with a decent weight in the
handicap. I wonder whether she could really be good enough to make her presence
felt in the “Race That Stops a Nation.” Unable to garner a group placing in her
native New Zealand, Black Mamba could do no better than fourth in the 1 1/2-mile
Hollywood Turf Cup (G1) last December, and most of those opponents were a far
cry from the types she’d run into in Melbourne. All nitpicking aside, though, I
love the sporting gesture on the part of Sadler and Doubledown Stables, and
would like nothing better than to see her take her chance and prove me wrong.
While Black Mamba boosted the Gamely form, Beverly Hills runner-up Charming
Legacy underlined the merit of the June 6 Redondo Beach S. at Hollywood.
Charming Legacy finished a game third that day, beaten a little more than a
half-length by the front-running TUSCAN EVENING (Ire) (Oasis Dream [GB])
in a stakes-record 1:33.78 for the mile. Tuscan Evening traveled well on a snug
hold, except when she pulled a Dayjur and jumped the shadows. Other than those
self-imposed hiccups, the Jerry Hollendorfer filly never looked like being
caught. Tuscan Evening was a head away from being a European classic winner,
having missed by a head in the 2008 Irish One Thousand Guineas (Ire-G1), only to
be demoted to fourth for interference. She thereby brings strong credentials
into the Royal Heroine, where she is expected to renew rivalry with a few of her
Redondo Beach victims. In an intriguing piece of trivia, the last two finishers
from the Redondo Beach — BRIECAT (Adcat) and DAWN AFTER DAWN
(Successful Appeal) — just finished second and third, respectively, to the
flawless Zenyatta (Street Cry [Ire]) in Saturday’s Vanity H. (G1).
Also probably headed to the Royal Heroine is WASTED TEARS (Najran),
who comes off a scintillating score in the one-mile Ouija Board Distaff H. (G3)
on Memorial Day at Lone Star Park. Not given an easy lead, the Bart Evans filly
was pressed every step of the way, and was actually headed at one point, but
shrugged off her pace rival and drew one length clear in a course-record
1:32.81. The Royal Heroine is another league, but this win machine has earned
her ticket.
Pure class: Although PURE CLAN (Pure Prize) just failed to
catch ACOMA (Empire Maker) by a neck in the June 6 Mint Julep H. (G3) at
Churchill Downs, it was a most encouraging four-year-old debut for the Bob
Holthus filly. Pure Clan was conceding race fitness to a classy rival in Acoma,
who had captured the Mrs. Revere S. (G2) and Valley View S. (G3) on the turf
last fall, and kicked off her 2009 campaign with a smashing five-length romp in
the Azeri S. (G3) at Oaklawn. The 1 1/16-mile distance of the Mint Julep was
also in Acoma’s favor, for Pure Clan had not won over so short a trip since
taking the Golden Rod S. (G2) as a juvenile.
The third strike against Pure Clan was tactical. Acoma tracked the leisurely
pace, while Pure Clan anchored the field until the top of the stretch. Acoma
sliced between rivals and drew first blood, opening up inside the final furlong.
Pure Clan surged late, leveling off with ground-devouring strides that rapidly
closed the gap, but the wire came in time for Acoma. Considering that Acoma
sizzled her final sixteenth in just less than :06, Pure Clan must have been
flying herself. She kicked 4 3/4 lengths clear of third-placer TIZAQUEENA
(Tiznow), who was coming off a score in the Churchill Distaff Turf Mile (G2).
The form looks rock-solid, and Tizaqueena is likely to advertise its strength in
Sunday’s Locust Grove H. (G3) at Churchill.
Just as she did last year when chasing the gallant Eight Belles, Pure Clan
galloped out with high energy. I have great respect for Acoma, who is now a
perfect three-for-three on the grass, but I’d expect Pure Clan to exact revenge
in their rematch. The two could clash again in the Beverly D. Pure Clan is
expected to prep in the July 11 Modesty H. (G3) at Arlington, but Acoma may
await the signature event.
Rubber match? The May 23 Sheepshead Bay S. (G2) at Belmont was
originally shaping up to be the rubber match between CRITICISM (GB)
(Machiavellian) and DRESS REHEARSAL (Ire) (Galileo [Ire]), who had traded
decisions at Gulfstream earlier this year. Dress Rehearsal wound up not being
entered after all, and Criticism enjoyed another walk in the park on the front
end. As a result, the 1 3/8-mile affair taught us nothing. Once again lethal
when dictating her own terms, Criticism scoffed at an earnest challenge from
MUSHKA (Empire Maker) and drew off to win handsomely by 2 1/4 lengths,
firing her final eighth in :11 3/5.
Then surely the June 20 New York S. (G3) would afford us the rubber match.
Criticism and Dress Rehearsal were both entered, along with last year’s Flower
Bowl Invitational (G1) heroine DYNAFORCE (Dynaformer). Finally, we’d have
a proper test for Criticism. Or not. The monsoons came, the race was transferred
to the muddy main track, and most of the self-respecting turf distaffers
scratched. Trainer Tom Albertrani allowed Criticism to give it a whirl, but she
was not nearly as happy as she is on the turf. Criticism was blown away by 13
1/4-length winner Icon Project (Empire Maker), whom she had defeated in the
grassy La Prevoyante H. (G2) in April. In view of her electrifying dirt debut,
trainer Marty Wolfson has sensibly determined to keep Icon Project on the main
track.
Albertrani has identified the Beverly D. as a logical goal for Criticism. It
remains to be seen where Dress Rehearsal and Dynaforce will show up.
Clement company: Two of horseman Christophe Clement’s pupils snapped
losing streaks recently. Grade 1 veteran RUTHERIENNE (Pulpit), who had
placed in seven straight graded events since capturing the 2008 Jenny Wiley
(G2), regrouped with a three-length triumph in the May 30 Nassau S. (Can-G2) at
Woodbine. This was an easier spot than many of her previous starts, including
her runner-up performance to Forever Together in this season’s Jenny Wiley, and
the five-year-old made no mistake. After tracking a moderate pace along the
rail, she found a seam between foes in midstretch and burst clear, as if to let
out her own frustration over the past year. Canadian champion turf mare
CALLWOOD DANCER (Ire) (Danehill Dancer) was not as fortunate in her title
defense, for she did not get a clear run until late. It was not exactly three
lengths’ worth of trouble, however, and Callwood Dancer was not going to outkick
Rutherienne on this occasion. Callwood Dancer is expected to reappear in the
July 11 Dance Smartly S. (Can-G2), and with Rutherienne likely to aim for the
September 20 Canadian S. (Can-G2), the pair should square off again.
Clement’s ALL IS VANITY (Fr) (Gold Away [Ire]) had gone winless for a
year, but endured only four consecutive losses — all in stakes company —
during that span. The five-year-old ended that skein with a good-looking late
rally in the June 7 Eatontown H. (G3) at Monmouth, where she had the pleasure of
seeing her Gallorette H. (G3) conqueror SOCIAL QUEEN (Dynaformer) back in
fifth. Like the Nassau, the Eatontown featured a hard-luck story in ARIEGE
(Doneraile Court), who was boxed in for a while, but did not offer much when
she did have clear sailing and checked in fourth. All Is Vanity is scheduled to
face Captain’s Lover, along with Eatontown near-misser QUIET MEADOW (El
Prado [Ire]), in the Miss Liberty.
Colonial skirmish: Clement’s ASTROLOGIE (Fr) (Polish Precedent)
was unable to add another graded tally for the barn in the June 20 All Along S.
(G3), but her race at Colonial Downs was a sneakily good one at a distance short
of her best. Slammed sideways by an errant longshot just when she was launching
her bid in midstretch, Astrologie was one-paced thereafter and finished fourth,
just missing third by a head. Without the costly interference, she may have been
even closer. Astrologie had been the victim of a strange trip in her seasonal
reappearance in the La Prevoyante, where she made a premature move to press
Criticism and weakened to fourth. Judging by her solid French form from last
season, Astrologie is capable enough on her day, and if she ever gets a decent
chance, she can make her mark at the graded level.
Astrologie’s woes, however, should not detract from the outstanding effort on
the part of the Jonathan Sheppard-trained WINTER VIEW (Thunder Gulch). A
lot went against her at Colonial, yet she overcame every obstacle to score by a
head. Winter View, who had thrived this campaign at 1 1/2 miles, was cutting
back sharply to 1 1/8 miles; she was toting the top weight of 124 pounds,
thereby giving away six pounds apiece to all those who were nearest to her; and
she was fanned out into the next county turning for home. Although her finishing
kick was not as stunning at this shorter trip, it was noticeable enough as she
rolled home to deny the similarly fast-closing TEJIDA (Rahy). Winter View
proved that she is effective over a range of distances, which bodes well for her
divisional status.
Interestingly, Winter View, Tejida and Astrologie may not have planned to run
in the All Along. All three were originally entered in the June 13 John W.
Rooney Memorial S., which was rained off the turf at Delaware. The trio may have
been trying to get a prep over the course for the July 18 Robert G. Dick
Memorial (G3).
Juddmonte debutante: Be on the lookout for French Group 2 heroine
TREAT GENTLY (GB) (Cape Cross [Ire]), who was holding her own in terrific
company last season. She traded blows with Breeders’ Cup-bound Dar Re Mi
(Singspiel [Ire]), who just won Saturday’s Pretty Polly S. (Ire-G1), and crossed
the wire third (subsequently disqualified) to the peerless Zarkava in the Prix
Vermeille (Fr-G1). Last seen finishing fourth in the Prix de l’Opera (Fr-G1) on
Arc Day, Treat Gently has been training at Belmont for Frankel. On Sunday, the
four-year-old filly breezed six furlongs on the soft inner turf in 1:19.04,
tying with older male stablemate Champs Elysees (GB) (Danehill) for the fastest
of four moves at the distance. Unlike VENTURA (Chester House), Visit and
Modern Look, who have all gotten off to early starts this year, Treat Gently has
evidently been prepared with the second half of the season in mind.
American Oaks preview: Sunday’s eighth renewal of the American Oaks
(G1) at Hollywood once again pits the premier U.S. turf fillies against
intriguing foreign invaders, and the winner will go straight to the head of the
class. American fillies have captured the last three runnings — Wait a While
(2006), Panty Raid (2007) and Pure Clan (2008) — and the Stars and Stripes will
be ably flown by several promising contenders. GOZZIP GIRL (Dynaformer)
has shown remarkable versatility in terms of both ground and tactics. Over
Gulfstream’s firm turf, the Albertrani filly rallied from off the pace to score
in the February 15 Coconut Grove S. and March 15 Herecomesthebride S. (G3), and
when confronted by Belmont’s yielding sod in the May 30 Sands Point S. (G2), she
wired the field. In between those efforts, she was a barnstorming second to Hooh
Why (Cloud Hopping) in the Ashland S. (G1) on Keeneland’s Polytrack. Gozzip Girl
looked better the farther she went in the Sands Point, and the 1 1/4 miles
should be well within her compass. On the debit side of the ledger, she’s been
largely beating up on a few of the same rivals, who are likely a notch or two
below these.
MAGICAL AFFAIR (Giant’s Causeway), fourth as the 6-5 choice in the
Sands Point, is probably a lot better than she showed at Belmont. The Michael
Matz pupil changed leads a couple of times down the stretch, hinting that she
was not comfortable on the ground, and she is eligible to improve back on firm
turf. Two starts ago, Magical Affair was relegated to the rear after a troubled
start in the Edgewood S. at Churchill, yet closed with a rush to finish second
to the front-running Laragh (Tapit).
The two leading Southern California-based candidates have been mightily
impressive over the Hollywood course. WELL MONIED (Maria’s Mon), an
angular, sparely-made gray, just galloped under a cheeky Joel Rosario ride in
the 1 1/8-mile Honeymoon H. (G2) on May 31. On a tight rein, the Howard Zucker
trainee sauntered up to the leaders, and when the honest and genuine ACTING
LADY (Theatrical [Ire]) made her move on the outside, Well Monied simply let
out a notch and pulled 1 1/4 lengths clear. Few Grade 2 trophies are won with so
little effort, and the margin could have been doubled, or tripled, if she had
ever been asked a serious question. Well Monied, who is still filling into her
frame, brings a three-race winning streak into the American Oaks. Her rivals
will have to find a way to extend her, or else she’ll pocket a fourth.
The Neil Drysdale-trained MRS KIPLING (Ire) (Exceed and Excel) created
a similar impression in the May 3 Senorita S. (G3) going one mile. Like Well
Monied, Mrs Kipling was not out of second gear when she cruised up in
midstretch. She may have been allowed to run more than Well Monied in that final
furlong, bursting to an emphatic 2 1/2-length victory. The imported Mrs Kipling
has a fascinating formline from her juvenile campaign: she finished third in the
Cornwallis S. (Eng-G3) to the highly regarded colt Amour Propre (Paris House),
who defeated older male sprinters in the Palace House S. (Eng-G3) in May. Mrs
Kipling has never been past a mile, but her broodmare sire is Prix de l’Arc de
Triomphe (Fr-G1) hero Carnegie (Ire), and further stamina is plentiful in the
maternal side of her pedigree. Owned by celebrity chef Bobby Flay, Mrs Kipling
enters her Oaks throwdown in fine form.
The three internationals all have something to recommend them. The legendary
Henry Cecil will be represented by the once-beaten APPLE CHARLOTTE (Royal
Applause [GB]), who rolled to a smart victory in the 1 1/4-mile Swettenham Stud
Fillies’ Trial S. on May 15 at Newbury. The runner-up came back to finish a
distant fifth of 10 in the Oaks (Eng-G1) at Epsom, and the third-place finisher
just checked in third in the Ribblesdale S. (Eng-G2) at Royal Ascot. Last time
out, Apple Charlotte suffered her first defeat by a short head in the June 11
Lord Weinstock Memorial S., another 1 1/4-mile test at Newbury. The filly who
outdueled her, Splashdown (Falbrav [Ire]), has some very useful form herself,
both as a juvenile and this season. Apple Charlotte will have no problem with
the ground, but the key question is how she will adapt to a tighter course.
Irish maestro Dermot Weld dispatches RARE RANSOM (Oasis Dream [GB]),
who could move up on firm turf. Group 2-placed at two, Rare Ransom kicked off
her sophomore campaign with a victory over older males at Gowran, and she was
most recently fourth in the May 24 Irish One Thousand Guineas on bottomless
ground. On the other hand, she does not have the resume of Weld’s last American
Oaks runner, Carribean Sunset (Ire) (Danehill Dancer), who finished fourth here
in 2008.
The New Zealander PUTTANESCA (Bertolini) has been taking part in a few
of the same races that Black Mamba had competed in during her younger days, and
Puttanesca has consistently finished better than Black Mamba in those group
events. Puttanesca garnered the 1 1/4-mile Royal S. (NZ-G2); just missed in the
one-mile Desert Gold S. (NZ-G3) and Eulogy S. (NZ-G3), with the top two from the
latter going on to boost the form; finished third in the 1 1/4-mile Sir Tristram
Fillies Classic (NZ-G2); and was only beaten three lengths when seventh in the 1
1/2-mile New Zealand Oaks (NZ-G1). Furthermore, it is clear that Puttanesca has
more speed than the Australian Anamato (Aus), the third-place finisher in the
2007 American Oaks, whose world-class form back home did not help her much in
different conditions at Hollywood. Puttanesca comes off two tighteners that
should have her primed for her debut in California, where according to Daily
Racing Form, she will remain with Julio Canani. Australian jockey Glen Boss, who
has yet to ride the chestnut, makes the transpacific voyage to pick up the
mount. It would be wonderful for Puttanesca to do well here, to encourage more
Antipodean contestants in the American Oaks.
On the horizon: Our next issue will recap all of the action from July
4 weekend, along with the Modesty and the Royal Heroine Mile, and look ahead to
the Diana and Beverly D.