Disposablepleasure overcomes adversity in Demoiselle

by Kellie Reilly

Glencrest Farm's Disposablepleasure recovered from a bad stumble at the

start, and survived an objection, to prevail as the 6-5 favorite in Saturday's

Grade 2, $200,000

Demoiselle Stakes at Aqueduct.

Last after taking a nosedive out of the gate, the Todd Pletcher pupil

advanced on the far turn for Ramon Dominguez, drove to the lead in the stretch,

and just fended off the renewed bid by Wildcat's Smile by a nose. Then the

objection sign flashed, as David Cohen, the rider of eventual third-place

finisher Bourbonstreetgirl, claimed foul against Dominguez. The stewards took

their time with the replay, but allowed Disposablepleasure to keep her

remarkable victory. She thus became the first U.S. graded winner sired by 2005

Kentucky Derby upsetter Giacomo.

"The only thing I thought (when she stumbled at the start) is maybe it's Rags

to Riches again," Pletcher said, alluding to his champion filly's nosedive at

the start of the 2007 Belmont Stakes that she went on to win.

"That was bad to start with, but she really started her run on the turn,

picked up some momentum, and had to stop again. It was a very courageous effort

for any horse, but especially a two-year-old filly. She's got a lot of natural

ability, but she showed she's got some heart and desire to go along with it. For

any horse to win and overcome all that first time going 1 1/8 miles was

impressive, but you don't see too many two-year-old fillies do that."

Disposablepleasure's flubbing the start appeared to compromise her chances in

more ways than one. The gray juvenile had shown early speed in her prior dirt

starts, and wired a Belmont Park maiden by 11 lengths in her latest venture. She

had to go to Plan B in the Demoiselle.

As Disposablepleasure regrouped in the rear, Wee Party led the way through

fractions of :23 4/5, :48 1/5 and 1:13 3/5. Wildcat's Smile was among the

tightly-knit chasing pack, and began to improve on the far turn. Meanwhile,

Disposablepleasure was rolling from farther back, only to find her path blocked.

Dominguez angled her out to find an outlet for her momentum, and in the process,

she floated Bourbonstreetgirl wider out.

Wildcat's Smile forged to the front leaving the far turn. There was a great

gap to the inside of the new leader, and Disposablepleasure took advantage.

Powering through, Disposablepleasure rallied past Wildcat's Smile and looked

ready to pull away. But Wildcat's Smile came again, and the favorite had to dig

deep. The two fillies crossed the wire in tandem, and the camera had to decide

the winner. Disposablepleasure negotiated 1 1/8 miles on the fast track in 1:53.

"She stumbled to her nose and got back up," Dominguez said, "and I was

already concerned about her chances from there. She was taking me nicely and

they were backing up in front of me, and both Cohen (aboard Bourbonstreetgirl)

and I went out to avoiding colliding with the fillies in front. Then I had to

take a hold, go back inside, and regroup."

The winner's circle festivities and payouts of $4.50, $3.10 and $2.80 had to

wait, however, for the outcome of the objection. Bourbonstreetgirl kept on

down the outside for third, 2 3/4 lengths behind Disposablepleasure. The stewards

decided that the incident on the far turn did not merit a change in the order of

finish.

Wee Party held fourth, followed by Brown Eyed Nance, Lady Cohiba, Captivating

Lass, Dreaming of Cara, Awalkinthemoonlite and Indyniable.

Disposablepleasure now sports a mark of 4-2-1-0, $161,600. A closing fourth

in her debut in a 1 1/16-mile turf maiden at Saratoga, she next finished second

to subsequent Grade 2-placed Glinda the Good in her first dirt try at Monmouth.

Disposablepleasure moved forward at Belmont Park on October 6, crushing her

opponents in a dominant display.

Bred by Doug Branham in Kentucky, Disposablepleasure was sold for $45,000 as

a yearling at Fasig-Tipton Kentucky July. She is a half-sister to Grade 3-placed

stakes victress Romantic Hideaway. Their dam, the With Approval mare My Canada,

is herself a full sister to Grade 3-placed stakes scorer Patriot Love, and a

half-sister to Grade 3 hero and Grade 1-placed Riley Tucker.