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FILLY & MARE TURF DIARY JULY 31, 2010 In this issue, our review of the past month's action will focus on three major themes: identify the most potent formlines of the season, which will collide head-on in Saturday's outstanding renewal of the Diana S. (G1); cast a glance toward the August 21 Beverly D. S. (G1); and mention developments among the three-year-old fillies. Finally, we'll touch on a few foreign footnotes. Bragging rights: The only modest thing about the July 17 Modesty H. (G3) was the tepid early pace set by 4-5 favorite TUSCAN EVENING (Ire) (Oasis Dream [GB]), before she accelerated to extend her 2010 mark to a very brazen six-for-six. Sure, the Jerry Hollendorfer mare had things all her own way -- the race was virtually over by the time she reached the first turn -- and with her stellar Southern California form in the book, she was entitled to turn in this kind of performance. But Tuscan Evening deserves a bit more credit than that for her winning effort at Arlington Park. Besides proving that she could be effective away from the friendly confines of Southern California, she was giving away significant weight under her top impost of 124 pounds. Runner-up ECLAIR DE LUNE (Ger) (Marchand de Sable) carried a mere 113 pounds, and benefited from a heady ride by Junior Alvarado, who realized instantly that he needed to stay close to the loose-on-the-lead Tuscan Evening if he had any hope of an upset. Eclair de Lune had met Tuscan Evening once before, in the Santa Barbara H. (G2) back in April, and couldn't hold a candle to her when a distant fourth. As trainer Ron McAnally had surmised, the lightly-raced four-year-old moved up dramatically over the lusher turf course at Arlington. That change of venue, coupled with Alvarado's tactical shrewdness, helped Eclair de Lune to run the race of her life. Sporting the silks of Arlington chairman Richard Duchossois, Eclair de Lune kept up with Tuscan Evening as she ratcheted up the tempo, and threw down a sustained challenge at the top of the stretch. Nevertheless, Tuscan Evening always had her covered, and Rafael Bejarano didn't look terribly concerned as he just pushed his partner out to prevail by a half-length. Eclair de Lune was likely flattered by her advantageous trip, compared to top contenders HOT CHA CHA (Cactus Ridge) and RAINBOW VIEW (Dynaformer). Both were compromised by drafting farther behind the dawdling pace, and they conceded plenty of weight to Eclair de Lune to boot. While Hot Cha Cha did nothing wrong to run evenly in third, Rainbow View ran even better in a sneakily-good fourth, just missing third on the bob of Hot Cha Cha's nose. Indeed, Rainbow View was the only Modesty runner who actually improved her position. Failing to relax early and tossing her head in annoyance, the Jonathan Sheppard filly was angled back to last as Julien Leparoux tried to get her to settle. Rainbow View was five lengths behind through six furlongs in a pedestrian 1:14 4/5, yet managed to close the gap to just two lengths at the end of the 1 3/16-mile test -- in other words, she was gaining ground in the hottest part of the race, and finishing even faster than Tuscan Evening. Sheppard revealed that Rainbow View exited the race with a slightly dirty scope, making her effort all the more creditable. The merry-go-round of the Modesty, the course-and-distance prep for the Beverly D., should be a warning to all of those eyeing the marquee event. Tuscan Evening mustn't be handed the race on a silver platter; if she's allowed a leisurely lead, she'll make her rivals pay. On the other hand, Tuscan Evening is not a one-dimensional front runner. If someone else is determined to set the pace, she's happy to revert to stalking tactics, and she's eligible to outkick everyone anyway. Yet at least a genuine pace would provide a level playing field: may the best turn of foot win. Depth: As if Tuscan Evening needed another form boost back on her own circuit, the July 3 Royal Heroine Mile (G2) at Hollywood Park provided one. Grade 2 veteran GOTTA HAVE HER (Royal Academy), who was coming off a sixth to Tuscan Evening in the May 29 Gamely S. (G1), asserted her class with a last-to-first move in the Royal Heroine. Under confident handling by Tyler Baze, the Jenine Sahadi mare mowed down the field by a cozy half-length. The East Coast has a potent formline of its own, exemplified by the June 5 Just a Game S. (G1), which like the Gamely was recounted in my last diary. PROVISO (GB) (Dansili [GB]), who had defeated males in the Frank E. Kilroe Mile H. (G1), held on from the rallying PHOLA (Johannesburg), who was exiting impressive victories in the Churchill Distaff Turf Mile (G2) and Hillsborough S. (G3). The depth of the Just a Game was underscored when its fourth-place finisher CHEROKEE QUEEN (Cherokee Run) came back to demolish a useful group in the July 5 Dr. James Penny Memorial H. at Philadelphia Park. Well placed early to pounce on the longshot pacesetter, Cherokee Queen rolled to the front and scored in hand by three lengths. Granted, the Marty Wolfson mare got first run on the deep closer CHESTORIA (Chester House), but even so, she made it look awfully easy. Cherokee Queen will line up in Sunday's Matchmaker S. (G3) at Monmouth, where her rivals include Beverly D.-bound TIZAQUEENA (Tiznow) and Suwannee River S. (G3) winner TOTTIE (GB) (Fantastic Light), who impressed in an allowance/optional claimer last out for Chad Brown. Clash of the titans: These two formidable formlines, of the Gamely and Just a Game, will clash in Saturday's Diana at Saratoga, making it the race of the year so far in this division. Two-time defending Diana champion FOREVER TOGETHER (Belong to Me) was last seen finishing a gallant runner-up in the Gamely, her late rally falling a half-length short of catching Tuscan Evening. Forever Together arguably gave Tuscan Evening her most searching test of the campaign that day. The Sheppard trainee found another gear just strides before the wire, and if the big gray mare had been able to summon that burst a little sooner, she might have given Tuscan Evening an even bigger fright than she already did. The Guinness-swilling Forever Together faces two significant obstacles in her bid for an unprecedented three-peat in the Diana: the lack of a meaningful early pace, and the fact that she wants longer than nine furlongs at this point of her career. On the other hand, she loves the Spa, and she has been training up a storm for the past month. Although Forever Together hasn't won since last year's Diana, she's run two tremendous races in defeat this year (remember her runner-up effort to WASTED TEARS [Najran] in the Jenny Wiley S. [G2] in her reappearance). Judging by those efforts, I think that Sheppard's right to say that she hasn't lost a step -- she's just run into a couple of buzzsaws over distances favorable to them, and short for her. This edition of the Diana is tougher than last year's, however, and Forever Together could run the identical race and get beaten. In particular, the top two from the Just a Game -- Proviso and Phola -- are better than Carribean Sunset (Ire), who came within a head of upsetting Forever Together here in 2009. Juddmonte Farms' homebred Proviso remains the only two-time Grade 1 winner on turf this year in the United States, and even though those came at a mile, the Bill Mott mare is proven at this 1 1/8-mile distance. A half-sister to recent Prince of Wales's S. (Eng-G1) hero Byword (Peintre Celebre), Proviso is also tactically adaptable. That ability to press a nonexistent pace, or relax farther back if need be, serves her well in a variety of environments. Yet Proviso could find it a little more difficult to fend off the flying Phola this time. The two carried level weights in the Just a Game, but Proviso is the 123-pound highweight in the Diana, spotting Phola (and Forever Together) three pounds. Phola also got off to a slow start in the Just a Game; if the Todd Pletcher filly breaks alertly, she'll make it easier on herself, but she'll still come from the rear regardless. More significantly, the added ground is a boon: Phola's biggest margin of victory this season came in the Hillsborough at about 1 1/8 miles -- off a slow pace. I won't be surprised if she turns the tables on Proviso. Adding further star power to the Diana is MARAM (Sahm), the winner of the 2008 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf, who deployed an other-worldly burst of speed to pass the entire field in the July 4 Miss Liberty S. at Monmouth. The Brown-trained filly has literally never run a bad race in her life. Her lone unplaced finish was a sixth in the 2009 Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1) after a rushed preparation, beaten a total of 3 1/2 lengths. The Diana is easily the deepest race she's contested since then, but she deserves the opportunity to make her mark at the Grade 1 level. Rounding out the superb cast are Just a Game third MY PRINCESS JESS (Stormy Atlantic) and the top two from the June 19 All Along S. (G3), SHARED ACCOUNT (Pleasantly Perfect) and DYNASLEW (Dynaformer). The All Along alumnae might not have the gaudy credentials of the principals, but they shouldn't be discounted. Shared Account captured the Lake Placid S. (G2) at this course and distance last summer, and Dynaslew, a wire-to-wire winner of the Beaugay S. (G3) two back, looms as the controlling speed. To sum up, the Diana is a race to be savored, both as a spectacle and for its impact on the divisional rankings. With the Beverly D. occupying a later place on the calendar this year, the Diana could even yield a contender or two for the Arlington showpiece. Belle of Louisville: One Beverly D. hopeful who has been flying under the radar is ACOMA (Empire Maker). The David Carroll mare had previously gone five-for-five (on dirt and turf) at Churchill, but lost that perfect mark beneath the Twin Spires this campaign. She's still run winning races in defeat, with extenuating circumstances in each. Following her excellent second in the June 5 Mint Julep H. (G3) (mentioned in my last diary), Acoma was a tough-beat fourth in a blanket finish in the July 3 Locust Grove H. (G3). The fact that the first six home were covered by a length isn't particularly flattering, but a closer look at Acoma's race makes her the best of the lot. First, the one-mile distance of the Locust Grove was too short for her; second, she was carrying the top weight of 121 pounds, conceding from five to seven pounds to the three who defeated her; third, she closed strongly and put her head in front, only to be outfinished by horses on the far outside that she never even saw. On a related note, Robby Albarado was just showing her the whip at that point, so Acoma didn't feel any further sense of urgency. True, it wasn't a blistering performance by any stretch of the imagination, but it wasn't that disappointing either, and she's eligible to take a leap forward in her third start of the year in the Beverly D. The Locust Grove winner, DANZON (Royal Applause), returned to finish a barnstorming, if slightly unlucky, second in the July 24 Lady Canterbury S. Considering her back class as a Group/Grade 3 heroine, and her solid pedigree, I still can't believe that she'd been dropped in for an $80,000 tag in her two starts prior to the Locust Grove, both of which she won well. Congratulations to Alfred H. Nuckols Jr. for his astute claim, and the rapid return on his investment. Careful management: Mott has apparently found the key to the previously frustrating TREAT GENTLY (GB) (Cape Cross [Ire]), who notched her second graded stakes tally in a row in the July 17 Robert G. Dick Memorial H. (G3) at Delaware Park. The Juddmonte homebred wasn't as dazzling as in the May 22 Sheepshead Bay S. (G2), but she was a model of workmanlike efficiency as she ground out a 1 1/4-length decision from just off the pace. Has the step up to 1 3/8 miles worked the oracle by itself, or has Mott put on his equine psychologist's hat and calmed her high-strung nature? Either way, Treat Gently is finally back in the top-class form she showed in France two years ago, when she chased Zarkava and traded decisions with Dar Re Mi (GB) (Singspiel [Ire]). That makes her a serious candidate for the Filly & Mare Turf, especially since it will be contested at her pet distance of 1 3/8 miles at Churchill. Precisely because she's found her niche in the longer events, Mott told Daily Racing Form that the 1 3/16-mile Beverly D. might be a trifle short for her. Other Grade 1 races that figure to suit her better are the October 2 Flower Bowl Invitational (G1) and October 16 E. P. Taylor S. (Can-G1), both at 1 1/4 miles. A more probable Beverly D. candidate to emerge from the Dick Memorial is GOZZIP GIRL (Dynaformer), an encouraging fourth in her belated seasonal reappearance. This wasn't Tom Albertrani's first choice of a comeback, but after Gozzip Girl unseated her rider at the start of the New York S. (G2), he ultimately settled upon the Dick Memorial as the best of his remaining options. In the hunt for much of the way along the inside, Gozzip Girl didn't seem thrilled to try to thread the needle entering the stretch. She picked up noticeably once getting to the gap, where she found plenty of breathing room, only to fail to punch home in the final furlong. Gozzip Girl should strip much fitter with this under her belt, but the Beverly D. will be just her second start of the year. Moot compliment: The Beverly D. lost a major contender when LADY SHAKESPEARE (Theatrical [Ire]) exited her New York romp with a condylar fracture, an injury that will sideline her until much later in the year. Trainer Roger Attfield had been looking at the July 18 Dance Smartly S. (Can-G2) as her Beverly D. prep. In her absence, her stablemates fought out the finish at Woodbine, with MEKONG MELODY (Ire) (Cape Cross [Ire]) just hanging on by a diminishing nose from AVE (GB) (Danehill Dancer). Mekong Melody deserves great credit for forcing a torrid pace and kicking on in her first outing since September, while the admirably consistent Ave, who was third to Lady Shakespeare last out, was placing in her third graded event of the year. Their fine performances had a bittersweet tinge, for they were complimenting the injured Lady Shakespeare. The disappointment of the Dance Smartly was multiple Group 1 heroine GYPSY'S WARNING (SAf) (Mogok), who accosted Mekong Melody in the stretch, but could not sustain her bid and weakened to fifth. Perhaps the weight spread was too onerous for the 125-pound highweight, for she was spotting Mekong Melody seven pounds; or possibly it was only natural that she would find it tough to follow up on her terrific comeback score in the Eatontown S. (G3). In any event, Gypsy's Warning figures to get back on track for Graham Motion. Sophomores on the march: Stakes debutante HARMONIOUS (Dynaformer) stamped herself as an up-and-comer with an authoritative victory in the July 3 American Oaks (G1) at Hollywood Park. Making only her fourth career start, the John Shirreffs filly benefited from a crafty and patient ride. Jockey Martin Garcia took up the perfect spot off a contentious pace, refused to pull the trigger when CITY TO CITY (City Zip) launched an early move, and produced his mount at the right time. Once unleashed, Harmonious lengthened stride beautifully to run down a valiant ANTARES WORLD (Decarchy), who had been in the firing line throughout. As promising as this effort was for the strapping Harmonious, a few caveats should be borne in mind. The downsized Oaks, now worth $250,000, was a purely local affair. Would this maiden and allowance winner have even made the cut in past runnings of the Oaks? Worse still, it didn't even feature the best of the Southern Californians. Morning-line favorite COZI ROSIE (Pleasantly Perfect) was withdrawn because of physical issues, and Grade 1 queen EVENING JEWEL (Northern Afleet), who had defeated Cozi Rosie in the Honeymoon H. (G2), intentionally skipped the race. Evening Jewel was freshened in advance of this past Sunday's San Clemente H. (G2) at Del Mar, where she exploded from her close stalking spot to score in style. American Oaks graduates grabbed the minor awards. City to City, fifth in the American Oaks, got a more orthodox ride this time and rallied for second in the San Clemente, with American Oaks third WEEKEND MAGIC (Ecton Park) filling that same spot here. That gives a boost to Harmonious, who is expected to meet Evening Jewel in the August 21 Del Mar Oaks (G1). There could be a match for both of them back East in CHECK THE LABEL (Stormin Fever). With her cheeky success in the July 17 Virginia Oaks (G3), she is now riding a three-race winning streak in graded stakes. Under an ultra-confident Ramon Dominguez, the Motion filly idled along in the rear, seven lengths off a desperately slow crawl, before turning on the engine. Check the Label then displayed moves worthy of a Maserati to accelerate along the inside, maneuver around traffic, angle out and back again, and split foes to blast 2 3/4 lengths clear -- with Dominguez giving her no more than a nudge. She thoroughly outclassed this bunch and ought to tackle a bigger prize next. This past Wednesday's Lake George S. (G2) at Saratoga would have provided a better test for Check the Label. Canadian invaders plundered the top three placings, led by Attfield's PERFECT SHIRL (Perfect Soul [Ire]), a half-sister to Lady Shakespeare who was making her stakes debut. Attfield's other runner, NO EXPLAINING (Ire) (Azamour [Ire]), didn't have the cleanest of trips, but flew home for third. No Explaining's strong effort flattered SOMME (Theatrical [Ire]), who had beaten her in the Alywow S. back in June. Somme failed to deliver as the 2-5 favorite in the July 10 Ontario Damsel S., but she lost no caste in defeat. Spotting seven pounds to the front-running winner, BARRACKS ROAD (Elusive Quality), Somme gamely narrowed her deficit to three-quarters of a length. Barracks Road shapes up as a hot prospect herself, and we should be hearing a lot more from both of them. Somme gets the chance to rebound in Sunday's Wonder Where S. at Woodbine. Foreign footnotes: Reigning Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf heroine MIDDAY (GB) (Oasis Dream [GB]) contests Saturday's Nassau S. (Eng-G1) at Glorious Goodwood. Her principal opponents include French invaders STACELITA (Monsun), who is targeting the Breeders' Cup herself, and ROSANARA (Sinndar). Champion turf female GOLDIKOVA (Ire) (Anabaa) goes for a three-peat in Sunday's Prix Rothschild (Fr-G1) at Deauville, where last-out Falmouth S. (Eng-G1) winner MUSIC SHOW (Noverre) looms as her most accomplished rival. As usual, their exploits will appear in the upcoming international diary. Also, the international contingent for the Filly & Mare Turf has been enhanced by the addition of the top-class Japanese filly RED DESIRE (Manhattan Cafe). I confess that my first thought was -- I wish it were two-time Japanese champion Buena Vista (Special Week), who has won most of their match-ups! Red Desire was forced out of her last engagement in Japan because of a bleeding episode, according to Racing Post. That development, and the chance to get away from Buena Vista, make the Breeders' Cup an attractive option. Red Desire aims to make her American debut in the Flower Bowl.
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