An inauspicious career debut at 5 1/2-furlongs by Greenwood Lodge Farm’s
Summer Applause last October was followed by a 2 1/4-length tally at seven-eighths
in early December, but Saturday’s seven-length score at a
mile and 70 yards stamped this youngster as one to watch all winter long
in New Orleans.
Fair Grounds’ sophomore filly series begins with the
$125,000 Silverbulletday Stakes on Road to the
Derby Kickoff Day Jan. 21, continues with the
Grade III Rachel Alexandra Stakes on Louisiana Derby Preview Day
Feb. 25 and concludes with the Grade II Fair Grounds Oaks on March 31, penultimate day of Fair Grounds’ 2011-2012 season.
“We were very happy with (Summer Applause’s) race yesterday,” said the filly’s trainer
Josie Carroll during
training hours Sunday morning. “It was her first time going two turns
and she did everything right. She could be any kind.”
It should be noted that Carroll trained Donver Stable’s
Inglorious to finish second
in last year’s Rachel Alexandra and fourth in last year’s Fair Grounds
Oaks, but later in the year that filly went on to win Canada’s
$500,000 Woodbine Oaks and then defeat male rivals in the
$1,000,000 Queen’s Plate north of the border.