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Debby attempts to dash hopes of rivals in Adirondack

Dashing Debby will attempt to give her new connections a win in the Adirondack (Jim Lisa Photos) Stonestreet Stables' Jess Jackson and trainer Steve Asmussen privately acquire, for an undisclosed amount, a Medaglia d'Oro filly exiting an authoritative victory  and begin spotting her in races she might not otherwise have run in. Sound familiar? This is not a rehash of the wonderful story of Rachel Alexandra (Medaglia d'Oro), but the first chapter in the saga of DASHING DEBBY (Medaglia d'Oro), whose life so far shares interesting parallels with her soon-to-be Eclipse Award-winning stablemate. Astutely placed by original trainer Gerald Procino in the July 11 J J'sdream S. at Calder on the Summit of Speed undercard, the first-time starter proceeded to romp by 10 1/4 lengths at odds of 13-1. On Wednesday, the juvenile takes her game to the big leagues when she'll break from post 1 against nine rivals in the $150,000 Adirondack S. (G2) at Saratoga. A sub :22 first quarter was virtually all it took for Dashing Debby to take the starch out of her seven rivals at Calder, and the possibility exists of a similar performance in the 6 1/2-furlong Adirondack, where she will be ridden by Robby Albarado. Though the sample of races to glean information from is small, no other filly in the field has run as fast from the gate as Dashing Debby did in her debut. Another positive is that her 95 BRIS Speed rating has been exceeded only twice by other entrants, and then by only a point.

Three others in the Adirondack have stakes experience. The best of these is BEAUTICIAN (Dehere), a clear second to Hot Dixie Chick (Dixie Union), who ran away and hid in the July 29 Schuylerville S. (G3). The Ken McPeek charge earned a 96 Speed rating when winning first out at Churchill Downs and once again figures to be a major factor. Debutante S. (G3) winner DECELERATOR (Dehere) stumbled at the start of the Schuylerville and dropped out of contention turning for home. The D. Wayne Lukas pupil defeated Hot Dixie Chick in their respective debut on May 14 and could threaten again if wet conditions arise. CAMILLE'S APPEAL (Valid Expectations), another from the Asmussen barn, dusted $30,000 maiden claiming rivals at Delaware Park prior to an off-the-pace score in the Pan Zareta division of the Texas Stallion S. at Lone Star Park, but is taking a big jump in class on Wednesday.

The Adirondack has also attracted a trio of other first-out winners. WORSHIP THE MOON (Malibu Moon) was a Monmouth Park graduate on July 31, WORSTCASESCENARIO (Forbidden Apple) prevailed at this trip down at Belmont Park in a race originally scheduled for turf, and BABAI BABY (Value Plus) narrowly held on in gate-to-wire fashion, also at Belmont. Second-start maiden winner SASSY IMAGE (Broken Vow) was third to Beautician in her debut at Churchill, while MAGIC APPEAL (Successful Appeal) is the lone course winner in the field. The Adirondack is rounded out by MARABELLE (Dixie Union), who was runner-up in her maiden debut at Monmouth a month ago.

GEMSWICK PARK (Speightstown), who dealt the exciting Elusive Heat (Elusive Quality) her only loss in the Old Hat S. (G3) in January, is the marquee name in Wednesday's $70,000 From New York to Old York S. over 5 1/2 furlongs on the turf. The chestnut has dropped two straight since her Old Hat score, and will be making her turf debut in this contest.

Linda Rice, the grass sprint specialist who is in contention for leading trainer honors at the Spa, will send out THOROUGHLY HOLY (Holy Bull), who passed her first-level allowance condition in a soft optional claimer at Delaware Park two back. She might be slightly overshadowed in the wagering by the likes of RUMOR CONTROL (Johannesburg), LEGALLY BLANCA (Northern Afleet) and STARFISH BAY (Elusive Quality), who all have higher quality allowance wins to their credit. MORE TO THE STORY (More Than Ready), who flies the colors of Darley Stable, enters off a swift maiden win in a Belmont turf dash.

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