Filly and Mare Turf Diary

FILLY & MARE TURF DIARY

JULY 18, 2006

by Kellie Reilly

Loyal readers may recall that in my last installment, I'd

indulged in a bit of  pre-race hand-wringing over the quality of this

year's field for the American Oaks Invitational S. (G1), but the scintillating

display put on by WAIT A WHILE (Maria's Mon) exposed that concern as

nonsense. While I'd given her credit for her main-track form, I failed to

project just how much improvement she would show on the turf, a surface she

hadn't raced on since breaking her maiden over Belmont Park's lawn last

September. The Todd Pletcher trainee took to the Hollywood Park turf like an

absolute natural, tracking the pace before unleashing a sizzling turn of foot to

score by 4 1/2 lengths in the terrific time of 1:59.38 for 1 1/4 miles.

I've

heard some observers compare Wait a While's time to that posted by last year's

phenomenal winner, Cesario (Jpn), who finished in 1:59.03, but because Hollywood

has a new turf course this year that's been yielding incredibly fast times, that

time-based comparison really doesn't shed much light. Still, the imperious

manner of Wait a While's victory was reminiscent of Cesario's, stamping her as a

serious presence in the division, regardless of age. She's no slouch on the dirt

either, as a Grade 2 winner (in the slop) with a second place in the Ashland S.

(G1) and a third in the Kentucky Oaks (G1) on her resume, but she looks like

something out of the ordinary on the turf. It will be fascinating to see how

Pletcher capitalizes on her versatility.

The disappointment of the race was Honeymoon Breeders' Cup H.

(G2) winner ATTIMA (GB) (Zafonic), who dictated the pace before tamely

surrendering on the far turn and winding up last in the eight-horse field. The

distance could not have been an issue, as she packed it in too early for that.

Nor could the pace have been a factor, since she enjoyed a free hand on the

front end through a steady tempo. Whatever happened, I'm sure

that trainer Julio Canani will get her back to her best.

Also at Hollywood, Japanese star DANCE IN THE MOOD (Jpn)

(Sunday Silence) lived up to her billing when powering to a comprehensive 1

3/4-length victory in the CashCall Mile Invitational S. (G3). The admirable

SWEET TALKER (Stormin Fever) scrapped her way to runner-up honors, but the

winner was in a different league. Dance in the Mood's connections said afterward

that she may return for the Matriarch (G1) during Hollywood's fall meet.

Last year's American Oaks runner-up MELHOR AINDA (Pulpit)

made a professional return to action in the Capades S. at Belmont last Friday.

The Bobby Frankel filly had not raced since her seventh-place effort in the

October 1 Flower Bowl Invitational S. (G1), after which she had surgery to

remove bone chips from two ankles. Melhor Ainda showed no rustiness as she

cruised into contention turning for home and ran on to score a comfortable

one-length victory. This was just the kind of reappearance that should set her

up for her major targets. She didn't have a hard race, and she will surely

benefit from having this 1 1/16-mile tune-up under her belt.

She'll likely cross swords at some point with HONEY RYDER

(Lasting Approval), who continued her remarkable season with a hard-fought

defense of her title in the Robert G. Dick Memorial Breeders' Cup S. at Delaware

Park on Saturday. The five-year-old gray mare shouldered top weight of 123

pounds as she lagged well off a farcically slow pace set by the classy OLAYA

(Theatrical [Ire]), who was toting 117. If Honey Ryder were a lesser horse,

those circumstances would have conspired to bring about her downfall in the 1

3/8-mile contest. Providing a supreme example of class and courage, she

resolutely overhauled Olaya in deep stretch and thrust her head in front at the

wire.

Honey Ryder is nominated to the August 12

Beverly D. S. (G1) at Arlington Park, which is already promising to be a

memorable affair, with GORELLA (Fr) (Grape Tree Road [GB]) and FILM

MAKER (Dynaformer) reportedly setting their sights on that 1 3/16-mile

prize.

Before we get to savor that, we've got the John C. Mabee H. (G1)

on tap Saturday at Del Mar, while the Diana S. (G1) is slated for July 29 at

Saratoga. I'm especially looking forward to the Diana, as English Group 3

heroine KAREN'S CAPER (War Chant) may make her seasonal reappearance, and

debut for Bobby Frankel, in this spot. The Stonerside Stable homebred is two

noses away from being a Group/Grade 1 winner, having lost heartbreakers in the

Coronation S. (Eng-G1) and Queen Elizabeth II Invitational Challenge Cup S. (G1)

last year.

Finally, Regret S. (G3) and Appalachian S. winner

LADY OF VENICE (Fr) (Loup Solitaire) is also reportedly eyeing a Saratoga

engagement. Note that trainer Patrick Biancone thought highly enough of her to

nominate her to the Diana in addition to the July 28 Lake George S. (G3) for

three-year-old fillies. Food for thought.