The
Florida Derby will almost certainly point out contenders for the Kentucky Derby
and the Bonnie Miss for 3-year-old fillies at 1 1/8 miles should yield a
leading prospect or two for the Kentucky Oaks (G1) the day before at Churchill
Downs.
The
probable favorites in the field of six 3-year-old fillies are IEAH Stables and
partners’ Amen Hallelujah with Julien Leparoux aboard for trainer Rick Dutrow
and Michael Imperio and Kona Stable’s Christine Daae to be ridden by Corey
Nakatani for trainer Patrick Biancone.
Leparoux
gets a return call on Amen Hallelujah after they teamed up for a very
impressive 6 ¼ lengths victory in the one-mile Davona Dale Stakes (G2) on Feb.
27. The Florida-bred daughter of Montbrook had made all seven of her previous
starts on synthetic surfaces in California,
including the Santa Ynez Stakes (G2) at Santa Anita on Jan. 16.
Christine
Daae is a chestnut daughter of Giant’s
Causeway making her fourth career start and stakes
debut in the Bonnie Miss. She finished fourth in her only start last year at
Hollywood Park, but has flashed potential brilliance winning her two starts at
Gulfstream, a maiden score by 8 ¾ lengths and 1 1/8 miles allowance last out on
Feb. 28 by 2 ¾ lengths.
Another
contender with established stakes credentials in the Bonnie Miss is Glencrest
Farm’s Devil May Care, winner of the Frizette Stakes (G1) at Belmont Park last
fall in only her second career start for trainer Todd Pletcher after an
impressive debut victory at Saratoga.
A
daughter of Malibu Moon, Devil May Care experienced a very rough trip finishing
11th of 12 in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) at Santa Anita on Nov. 6
and finished fifth as the favorite in the Silverbulletday Stakes (G3) at Fair Grounds
on Feb. 20 in her only appearance since then after acting up at the gate before
the start.
Invading
from California
for the Bonnie Miss is C.R.K. Stable’s Switch with jockey Tyler Baze coming
along for the ride for trainer John Sadler. The Kentucky-bred daughter of Quiet
American has made three starts, winning her debut at Hollywood
Park
in December, finishing third to Amen Hallelujah in the Santa Ynez in January
and third last out in the Las Virgenes Stakes (G1) on Feb. 13, beaten a
half-length by Blind Luck.
Completing
the field for the Bonnie Miss are Breakin Wind Farm’s Danny’s Friend, Eduardo
Nunez; and Rose Family Stable’s Joanie’s Catch, Paco Lopez.