Peter Eurton-trained Weemissfrankie has worked four times since
defeating a highly-regarded field of maiden fillies in her racing debut
on July 20, opening day of the Del Mar meeting. Two of the workouts
earned bullets as the fastest of the day at the distance, the other two
were plenty swift.
So this morning, Eurton was keen to see what will happen this
afternoon when Weemissfrankie faces nine rivals as the 9-2 morning line
second choice, behind 7-2 Dreamcaster, in the $250,000, Grade I Del Mar
Debutante.
Weemissfrankie, a 2-year-old daughter of Sun River, was purchased at
an April sale for $175,000 by a partnership which includes members of
the family of the late Frank Alesia, for whom the filly was named.
““I feel like we have a fit horse and we have a good horse,” Eurton
said of the development of Weemissfrankie in the six weeks since her
career-opening victory. Rafael Bejarano will be back aboard for the
much tougher assignment today.
“The thing about Bejarano is that he doesn’t assume anything and lets the race unfold,” Eurton said. “For me, I’d like to see her fourth or
fifth (early on). She’s got such a great turn of foot, why does she have
to be up there winging?
“ It’s up to him, because you look at the race and there’s talent
with speed that will be up front and talented closers who’ll be coming
from behind. If the pace is slow, I’d like to see her a little closer
(than in her debut win). But it’s up to him.”
A Debutante win would be the highlight of the career of Eurton, a 54-year-old former jockey.
“There’s anxiety, nerves, excitement, all of that,” Eurton said.