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JUVENILE FILLIES DIARY SEPTEMBER 22, 2006 by Tom Joyce Since the last edition of the Juvenile Fillies Diary, the division has been sorting itself out with races such as the Spinaway S. (G1), Del Mar Debutante S. (G1) and the Arlington-Washington Breeders' Cup Lassie S. (G3). POINT ASHLEY (Point Given) was the clear, 2 1/2-length winner of the Del Mar Debutante. The $725,000 juvenile purchase established a good position in third down the backstretch, advanced quickly from the outside around the turn, ran by JUMP ON IN (Jump Start) turning for home, then drew off under urging to win the seven-furlong event in 1:23 1/5, finishing her final three-eighths in less than :39 1/5 and her final furlong in :13 4/5. The Bob Baffert trainee had been working up a storm prior to the Del Mar Debutante (six furlongs out of the gate in a bullet 1:09 4/5 on August 24), but I'm not so sure what she beat, and I'm a little concerned with how she finished. UNTOUCHED TALENT (Storm Cat), the unbeaten winner of the Sorrento S. (G3), and SHE'S INCLUDED (Include) rallied from well back and finished noses apart in second and third, respectively. All four of these could make their two-turn debuts in the 1 1/16-mile Oak Leaf Breeders' Cup S. (G1) on September 30. APPEALING ZOPHIE (Successful Appeal) quickly sprinted to a clear lead, shook free turning for home, then drew off to a convincing 5 1/4-length victory in the Spinaway. The dark bay, who was beaten by CHANGE UP (Distorted Humor) in the Mountaineer Juvenile Fillies S. in her previous start, completed seven furlongs on a good track in 1:23 3/5, finishing her final three-eighths in :38 and her final eighth-mile in :13 1/5. Obviously, it would be foolish to try to compare the times of the Del Mar Debutante and the Spinaway, but it's fun to do anyway. Considering that she broke her maiden by 10 1/2 lengths after stumbling at the start going 4 1/2 furlongs in her debut at Keeneland, and that she is now a Grade 1 winner at Saratoga, Appealing Zophie demands respect. I would suspect she is being pointed toward either the September 30 Kentucky Cup Juvenile Fillies S. at Turfway Park or the October 6 Alcibiades S. (G2) at Keeneland. Schuylerville S. (G3) winner COTTON BLOSSOM (Broken Vow) outdueled the Larry Jones-trained X STAR (Pulpit) for the place, although the former had a tougher trip. Cotton Blossom, one of many top juveniles trained by Todd Pletcher, raced in a pocket around the turn, angled out turning for home, then edged X Star after a prolonged battle. The latter chased the winner throughout before galloping out in front past the finish line. The Arlington-Washington Lassie was contested in a sea of slop. LISA M (Banker's Gold), a 35-1 shot, closed from last to nip SUTRA (Meadowlake), another closer, on the wire, with multiple stakes winner SEA THE JOY (Stormy Atlantic), impressive maiden winner NOLA STAR (Three Wonders), and Change Up finishing last, fifth, and seventh, respectively, after engaging in a three-way duel through punishing early fractions of :22 3/5 and :45. I'm inclined to throw this race out and give Nola Star, who held on well, and Change Up another chance. They both could offer value in their next starts. DREAMING OF ANNA (Rahy) is a two-year-old filly who gives me goose bumps. The chestnut filly was scratched out of the Arlington-Washington Lassie due to the wet track conditions. Owner-breeder Frank Calabrese, trainer Wayne Catalano and racing manager Steve Leving went to Plan B and ran her against males in the Summer S. (Can-G3) on the turf at Woodbine, where she was simply awesome. As usual, Dreaming of Anna broke alertly, then rated kindly while dueling for the lead on the outside. She held that position down the backstretch and around the turn with jockey Rene Douglas sitting chilly. Turning for home, she eased to a clear lead on her own volition, then drew off through the lane under nothing more than a hand ride, with Douglas looking around for competition. Dreaming of Anna completed the one-turn, one-mile distance on a firm course in 1:35, finishing her final quarter-mile in :23. What makes this race so impressive is that the horse who chased her home, undefeated Continental Mile S. winner Marcavelly (Johannesburg), probably is the best two-year-old (male) turf horse in the country. When the real running started, he could not get close, despite the efforts of jockey Edgar Prado. In her previous start, Dreaming of Anna dueled for the lead while in hand through fractions of :21 2/5 and :43 4/5, then drew off when given the signal to win the Tippett S. by 7 1/4 lengths, setting a new course record of 1:01 3/5 for 5 1/2 furlongs at Colonial Downs, which lowered the previous mark set in 1999. Dreaming of Anna likely will make her first around two turns in the November 4 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) at Churchill Downs. I have followed this filly from day one, just like I have followed her full brother, Lewis Michael. I am not concerned with her ability to handle the dirt, she trains on it everyday, and she broke her maiden on it in her debut. As long as she continues to train well, Dreaming of Anna, at attractive odds, could be my pick on the first Saturday in November. OUR FANTENE (Touch Gold) remained unbeaten in two career starts, winning the Sorority S. at Monmouth Park by a head over 3-5 ETERNAL GRACE (Gilded Time), who was blocked along the rail near the quarter-mile pole. Undefeated Colleen S. winner BOVELL ROAD (Graeme Hall) never got in the game, finishing a dull fourth for Pletcher. ADHRHYTHM (Adhocracy) was a good-looking, 8 1/2-length winner over a troubled SILKILY (Line in the Sand) in the Susan's Girl division of the Florida Stallion S. at Calder. The latter runs back against open company in Saturday's Brave Raj Breeders' Cup S. DEVIL HOUSE (Chester House) was a comfortable, front-running winner of the Bassinet S. at River Downs. She finished just 4 3/4 lengths behind the talented FRANCES G (Officer) in her debut at Churchill Downs and could be a sleeper in her graded bow. On Saturday, the Matron S. (G1) at Belmont Park, the Monmouth Park NATC Futurity and the Brave Raj will be decided.
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