Well-matched field of eight entered in Ballerina

Eight distaffers will line-up on Sunday in Saratoga's $250,000

Ballerina S. (G1) going seven furlongs, and any one of the runners could

take home this prize.

SUGAR SWIRL (Touch Gold) probably brings the best chance at victory into the

Ballerina, taking the First Lady H. (G3), Hurricane Bertie H. (G3) and Shirley

Jones H. (G2), all in succession earlier

in the year. The latter two were contested at seven furlongs. The five-year-old chestnut received a break following a fifth in

the Humana Distaff H. (G1) on May 3, returning two months later to capture the Scotzanna S. in her most recent start. Originally trained by Bobby Frankel,

Sugar Swirl was transferred to Brian Lynch and has spent 2008 running for that

conditioner. She's returned to Frankel's tutelage, though, and will get Javier

Castellano in the saddle.

INTANGAROO (Orientate) will give Sugar Swirl a run for her money in this

spot. The Gary Sherlock trainee won the Humana Distaff and the Santa Monica H.

(G1), but was fourth in the A Gleam H. (G2) most recently while returning to

Hollywood Park's Cushion Track. The dark bay four-year-old will be making her

Spa debut here with regular rider Alonso Quinonez flying in for the mount.

Other contenders in the Ballerina include last-out Chicago H. (G3) heroine

LEAH'S SECRET (Tiger Ridge), recent Princess Rooney H. (G1) victress MISTICAL

PLAN (Game Plan) and JIBBOOM (Mizzen Mast), last year's Raven Run S. (G2) winner

who returned off a more than eight-month vacation to run second by a half-length

in an allowance/optional claimer over Saratoga's turf on August 1.