GABBY’S GOLDEN GAL (Medaglia d’Oro) was a dominant 13-length winner of the
Sunland Park Oaks earlier in the season, but ran into a buzzsaw named Rachel
Alexandra (Medaglia d’Oro) next out in the Kentucky Oaks (G1), finishing sixth
after leading during the opening half-mile. The Bob Baffert filly relished
facing normal competition in the Acorn S. (G1) on June 6, leading gate-to-wire
to earn a 1 3/4-length victory, and will keep Javier Castellano aboard while
going for her second straight Grade 1 score on Saturday in the
Prioress
S. at Belmont Park.
Gabby’s Golden Gal is likely to face opposition if she goes to the lead, as
HEART ASHLEY (Lion Heart) has utilized those same tactics to take her past three
races. The Steve Asmussen trainee recorded wins in the Cicada S. (G3) and
Miss Preakness S. (G3) in her past two while going the Prioress distance of six
furlongs. Also likely to make a try for front-running duties is SELVA (Forest
Wildcat). The David Carroll charge has maintained her form while running on
turf, dirt and synthetic tracks, most recently earning a half-length second in
the Beaumont S. (G2) on the Polytrack at Keeneland. Like Gabby’s Golden Gal and
Heart Ashley, Selva will tote 122 pounds on Saturday.
Other contenders in the Prioress include Dogwood S. (G3) second LUSTER (Touch
Gold), who should enjoy the cutback off that mile test; CAT MOVES (Tale of the
Cat), undefeated from two starts; and LIGHT GREEN (Pleasantly Perfect), an
eight-length scorer in the Fall Aspen S. most recently.