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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.
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.
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