Distaff Diary

DISTAFF DIARY

APRIL 6, 2006

by Jennifer Caldwell

SWEET SYMPHONY (A.P. Indy) made a name for herself last year when taking the

Alabama S. (G1) over Ashland S. (G1) victress Sis City (Slew City Slew), as well

as Grade 2 winners R Lady Joy (Vicar), Spun Sugar (Awesome Again) and For All We

Know (Stephen Got Even). She was put on the shelf after finishing ninth in the

Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1) and made her return to the races on March 25 in the

Rampart H. (G2). Set at Gulfstream Park, the nine-furlong test was supposed to

be Sweet Symphony's race to lose, and the Bill Mott trainee did just that.

Rating in second throughout the Rampart, Sweet Symphony looked to be in good

striking position entering the stretch. However, OONAGH MACCOOL (Ire) (Giant's

Causeway) was moving along too good to be denied, swinging wide into the stretch

and pulling off the 2 1/2-length victory. Trained by Todd Pletcher, the chestnut

miss was making just her third U.S. start in the Rampart and got off to a bad

start in her graded debut. Exiting from post 2, Oonagh Maccool had to be

steadied by jockey Rafael Bejarano as she broke in and Eyes on Eddy (Touch Gold)

broke out from the rail. The near collision never seemed to affect the eventual

winner, who earned a career-best 105 BRIS Speed rating for her score.

Sweet Symphony made a really good return off a four-month vacation, finishing

seven lengths clear of third place and earning a 102 Speed figure, her best

since garnering a 108 for her Alabama win.

On the same day, Aqueduct saw a field of six go in the Distaff Breeders' Cup

H. (G2). What was supposed to be an easy win for 1-2 favorite SMOKEY GLACKEN

(Majesty's Crown) turned into a fight to the finish as runner-up MAGNOLIA

JACKSON (Cape Canaveral) made her rival earn the victory. Smokey Glacken

stumbled at the start, but immediately moved up to battle it out on the front

end with pacesetter Flame of Love (Not for Love) through the half-mile, with

Magnolia Jackson never far back. Turning into the stretch, Flame of Love began

backing up and the match was on. Smokey Glacken ran on the outside while

Magnolia Jackson took advantage of a close rail trip. Neither position lasted

very long, though, with Smokey Glacken drifting out in the final yards and

Magnolia Jackson coming out a bit as well. In the end, it was Smokey Glacken who

had a neck in front at the wire, garnering a 101 Speed figure in the process.

Magnolia Jackson gave a very good accounting of herself, and could do a lot more

in her next start.

FLEET INDIAN (Indian Charlie) went up against Sweet Symphony last year in the

Alabama, running fifth, and made her return to graded competition a nice

one-length score in the Next Move H. (G3) at Aqueduct.on March 26 Though up

against only three rivals in the nine-furlong test, the dark bay mare waited

just in behind the pacesetting NO SLEEP (Robyn Dancer) before taking over in the

stretch for the win. What was most impressive was her 109 Speed rating, the best

of her career, and the fact that she was taking her third straight win while

making her first start for Pletcher, her third new trainer from her past three

starts. Fleet Indian will be really tough after getting settled into her newest

conditioner's barn.

No Sleep didn't do so bad herself in her stakes debut her. The $35,000 former

claimer has found a new home in the barn of Gary Contessa and now owns five wins

from seven starts under Contessa's tutelage. FLAMING HEART (Touch Gold) has

finished off the board only once during her career, and in the Next Move was

just a length back of Fleet Indian at the wire. She could breakthrough at any

moment.

SHOW ME YOUR GLORY (Alphabet Soup) showed plenty of talent last Saturday,

taking the lead in the Harry W. Henson Breeders' Cup H. at Sunland Park and

pulling off for an easy 5 1/4-length victory. She's always been competitive

against stakes company, but the Henry Dominguez-trained five-year-old posted a

stellar 101 Speed rating, which topped her next higher number of 91, and could

take the next step up into graded company for her next one.

This weekend's races focus mainly on preps for Triple Crown candidates, but

the distaffers will get their say as well in Saturday's Apple Blossom H. (G1). ROUND POND (Awesome Again) and

HAPPY TICKET (Anet), the one-two finishers in the recent Azeri Breeders' Cup

(G3), have been expected to line-up for a rematch, but Round Pond's status is

now up in the air due to concerns of trainer John Servis over her weight assignment.