Distaff Diary

DISTAFF DIARY

APRIL 27, 2005

by Hunter T. Houlihan

Grade 1 heroine MADCAP ESCAPADE
(Hennessy) stamped her name at the top of the distaff division on March 13 when
taking the $200,000 Madison S. (G3) at Keeneland by 4 3/4 lengths, leading at
nearly every call. The bay defeated a stellar field and took over the top spot
in the standings after former leader ASHADO (Saint Ballado) disappointed in her
seasonal bow, the April 9 Apple Blossom H. (G1), and left the divisional lead
wide open. Conditioned by Frank Brothers, Madcap Escapade shows nearly a perfect
line (7-6-0-1) with earnings of over $750,000, and is sure to be seen in the top female races this summer.

Trainer Todd Pletcher will
undoubtedly bring Ashado back to the track in top form, and the champion may
have needed a race, but for now we’ll simply be watching and waiting.

Another leading distaffer, ISOLA
PIU BELLA (Chi) (Rich Man’s Gold), kept Pletcher’s barn strong in this division
when taking the Sixty Sails H. (G3) at Hawthorne on April 23. The five-year-old
mare, sent off as the 5-2 second choice, rated off a contested pace for much of
the nine-furlong contest before jockey John Velazquez asked the bay for a little
run entering the final turn and received a lot more,
accelerating away from the field to be clear by two lengths at the wire.

The April 23 Bed O’ Roses Breeders’
Cup H. (G3) at Aqueduct may have produced a future top distaffer in PLEASANT
HOME (Seeking the Gold), who drew off to win the eight-furlong event by 5 1/4 lengths.
The Shug McGaughey-conditioned dark bay was making her stakes bow and has
missed the board only once in seven career starts, winning four times. Pleasant
Home, who should continue to stretch out in distance off this impressive
performance, could be a Grade 1 caliber performer for her Hall of Fame trainer.

Keeneland also held the 1 1/16-mile Doubledogdare S. for older fillies and mares
on April 20. Even-money favorite COLONY BAND (Dixieland Band) led from wire to wire and did
not disappoint her many backers, defeating Grade 2 winner LA REASON (Labeeb [GB]).
The up-and-coming French import will more than likely return to action in graded stakes company.