It's Tricky the one to beat in Cotillion

Though winless in three outings since the Kentucky Oaks, Plum Pretty was

stretching her limit when racing in the 1 1/4-mile Alabama. Her Oaks win

notwithstanding, nine furlongs is probably not her preferred distance either.

However, the shorter distance of the Cotillion might be right up her alley,

though she might have to contend with an improving LOVE AND PRIDE (A.P. Indy)

for early supremacy. That rival, whose dam is a half-sister to champion and

noted sire Bernardini, exits two dominating wins, the latter a 6 3/4-length

demolition of the Proud Spell S. at Saratoga.

With two losses in as many tries against It's Tricky, Plum Pretty will get no

break in the weights as both fillies are required to tote 124 pounds. Also

carrying the same impost is BUSTER'S READY (More Than Ready), who landed a weak

renewal of the Mother Goose S. (G1) before losing the CCA Oaks by 11 lengths.

The Cotillion field is rounded out by the streaking California-bred HALO

DOLLY (Popular), the Jerry Hollendorfer-trained winner of five straight, and the

overmatched DARING REALITY (Include). Halo Dolly's last two wins -- the Diamond

Jubilee S. at Santa Rosa and Solona Beach H. at Del Mar -- were on grass, while

the minor stakes-winning Daring Reality has gone unplaced in the relatively soft

Monmouth Oaks (G3) and Delaware Oaks (G2) in her last two.

Only six juvenile fillies will line up for the $125,000

Brandywine

S. over seven furlongs. The heavy favorite should be Colleen S. winner SAY A

NOVENA (Songandaprayer), who also owns runner-up finishes in the Matron S. (G2)

and Sorority S. through five starts.