Head to Head: See 2 different perspectives on the Golden Rod

Ashley

Laurie

1.  Dozen Diamonds 20-1

By Mendelssohn, Dozen Diamonds has raced exclusively on grass so far, compiling a record of 4: 2-0-0. The filly has been a road warrior, racing at four different tracks. Previously trained by Mark Casse in her first three starts, Dozen Diamonds won her first start for new trainer Victoria Oliver in gate-to-wire fashion. She's had a different jockey in each race, but Rafael Bejarano, who was aboard for her last start, will retain the mount. Oliver wins at a 12 percent clip (23 percent in the money) with turf-to-dirt runners. Pass.

When she's good, she's very, very good; when she's not, she's beaten by a zip code. Dozen Diamonds switches to dirt after a hit-or-miss record on turf. She's worked sharply at Keeneland for new trainer Vickie Oliver, including two four-furlong works in 47. Dozen Diamonds' half-sister won over the dirt, and Dozen Diamonds has excellent leg extension, not the high knee action and up-and-down movement seen in some turf horses. Mendelssohn's daughter has moderately increasing Brisnet figures and a win at 1 1 1/6 miles, but if her lose/win/lose cycle continues, she'll finish at the back of the pack. If not, we could be looking at a live longshot.

2.  Intricate 6-1

By Gun Runner, Intricate was fifth on debut, checking in only 2 1/2 lengths behind winner West Sunset in a 6-furlong, $120,000 maiden event at Churchill Downs. The filly got it done in her second start, a 1 1/16-mile maiden event at Keeneland. None from that race have returned winners, but two did hit the board in their next outing. For her pace-pressing effort, Intricate received an 88 Equibase speed figure, thirteen points higher than her debut number of 75. Tyler Gaffalione, who was aboard in the filly's first two starts, retains the mount for trainer Brendan Walsh, and they're winning at a 23 percent clip (41 percent in the money) together. Use underneath.

Although she closed within 2 1/4 lengths of West Sunset in her debut, the distance was too short for Intricate. Gun Runner's daughter gave a better indication of her abilities next out, winning around two turns at Keeneland by 3 1/2 lengths and completing her final three furlongs in 31.17. While none of her rivals returned to win, two hit the board in their next outing. The Brendan Walsh trainee recorded a low 82 Brisnet figure, but her 102 late-pace figure is respectable. She's bred to improve with experience and is worth an exotics look.

3.  Purloin 10-1

By the late Arrogate, Purloin debuted a winner for trainer Cherie DeVaux in an off-the-turf, one-mile, $90,000 maiden event at Belmont at Aqueduct. The gray filly pressed the pace from fourth and took over inside the final furlong to win by 1 1/2 lengths. She earned a 75 Equibase speed figure while beating just three rivals, none of which have either made a subsequent start or won. Jose Ortiz will replace Kendrick Carmouche, and Ortiz and DeVaux are 1-for-2 together in the last year. Pass.

Purloin could be any kind. She splashed her way to a 1 1/2 length victory in her debut in an off-the-turf contest at Aqueduct and earned a middling 80 speed rating. Arrogate's daughter has high knee action, and while her unraced dam is a half-sister to a stakes-winning dirt sprinter, the overall female family is filled with international turf winners. I advise a bet against when a 2-year-old tries three new things simultaneously: A new track, longer distance, and surface switch (to fast). Pass.

4.  Here's the Spider 30-1

By Tapiture, Here's the Spider debuted a winner for trainer Edward Fernandez in a 6-furlong, $23,700 state-bred maiden event at Belterra Park. Three from that field have won since that race. Here's the Spider was then badly beaten in her next start, a six-furlong allowance race at Indianapolis. She rebounded to win the $100,000 Best of Ohio John W. Galbreath Stakes last out, earning a career-best 77 Equibase speed figure. John McKee retains the mount. This is a big step up for this filly, and I don't think she'll hang. Pass.

Here's the Spider takes on the big leagues after winning an Ohio-restricted stakes at Mahoning Valley. Her 107 late-pace figure is the highest in the field, yet her overall figure for the race was 84, 12 points higher than her debut and 28 points above her last race. Here's the Spider would have to improve her speed figures to fit with the top fillies. Pass.

5.  Central Avenue 5-1

By Street Sense, Central Avenue debuted a winner for trainer Michael Stidham in a seven-furlong, $60,000 maiden event at Colonial. Two from that race have returned winners, and runner-up Perfectly Wicked is now stakes-placed. In her second start, Central Avenue ran second in the Frizette (G1) as the second longest shot in the field, beaten by none other than Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) heroine Just F Y I. Her Equibase speed figure did drop three points in the Frizette, but that race was over a sloppy track and she was bumped at the start. Javier Castellano retains the mount, and he and Stidham are 0-for-2 together though they did pair up for Central Avenue's second in the Frizette. Use underneath.

After graduating at first asking and beating future stakes placed Perfectly Tempted, Central Avenue closed within 3 3/4 lengths of Just F Y I, despite bumping hard enough at the start, almost losing her footing, and chasing the field from last place. Street Sense's daughter is out of multiple Grade 1-placed Centring. Her second dam Composure is a multiple Grade 1 winner and was second in the 2002 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies. The Mike Stidham trainee has raced at two different tracks and should love the extra distance. Contender.

6.  Gin Gin 8-1

By Hightail, Gin Gin was second in her debut for trainer Brad Cox, a 5 1/2-furlong, $34,000 maiden event at Indianapolis. Aside from Gin Gin, two others were next out winners and one more filly also became an eventual winner. With a jockey and venue change, Gin Gin got her picture taken in her second start when she took a seven-furlong, $120,000 maiden event gate-to-wire at Churchill Downs. None from that field have won in subsequent starts. Last out, Gin Gin was second in the $200,000 Rags to Riches at Churchill Downs, 6 3/4 lengths behind winner West Sunset. She earned a career-best 84 Equibase speed figure for that runner-up effort. Florent Geroux retains the mount for Cox, and they strike at a 29 percent rate (64 percent in the money). Contender.

A Calumet Farm homebred, Gin Gin was best of the rest behind a scintillating West Sunset in the Rags to Riches Stakes, putting away a mild challenge from the favorite, V V's Dream, by 2 3/4 lengths. Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint winner Hightail has some nice stakes winners and is supported by Calumet. Gin Gin is the first blacktype earner out of Before You Know It a graded-placed daughter of Hard Spun. The mare's half-sister bore recent Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf heroine Hard to Justify. Gin Gin's speed ratings are in the mid-80's, and she has tactical speed. Contender.

7.  West Sunset 2-1

By West Coast, West Sunset debuted a winner for trainer Brad Cox in a 6-furlong, $120,000 maiden event at Churchill Downs. That field included next out winner Intricate. While West Sunset closed from the rear of the field to win her debut, she won her second start, the $200,000 Rags to Riches, in gate-to-wire fashion. With Flavien Prat aboard, the filly got an uncontested lead and ran away to a 6 3/4-length victory over stablemate Gin Gin. She earned a career-best 94 Equibase speed figure for the effort. Prat retains the mount for Cox, and they win together at a 29 percent clip (60 percent in the money). Contender.

West Sunset was hard-held early in the Rags to Riches, and all Flavien Prat had to do was occasionally let out a notch on the reins. It was a brilliant performance over a sloppy track, and the Brad Cox trainee proved in her first two starts that she could close or set the pace. West Sunset is second-crop sire West Coast's first stakes winner. She's a half to Grade 3 winner Bourbon Resolution, and their dam is a half to two speedy sprinters: Grade 2 hero Salute the Sarge and Grade 3 winner Chelokee. Ironically, West Sunset's second dam, Dixie Ghost, is a graded stakes winning turf router. Contender.

8.  Thorpedo Anna 8-5

By Fast Anna, Thorpedo Anna debuted as an impressive winner for Kenny McPeek in a seven-furlong, $70,000 maiden event at Keeneland. She earned an 88 Equibase speed figure while smashing the field by 8 1/2lengths. One filly from the field was a next-out winner while three more hit the board in their next start. Thorpedo Anna faced winners in allowance company in her second start, and once again, it was no contest. She won by 9 lengths with a field-best 96 Equibase speed figure despite bobbling at the start. Brian Hernandez, Jr. retains the mount for McPeek, and they win together at a 13 percent clip (39 percent in the money). Of note is that Thorpedo Anna is coming in on a two-week turnaround. Contender.

This untested, undefeated, optional claiming winner is a mystery. She's bested rivals by a combined 17 1/2 lengths. The question is, "Who did she beat?" Four contenders from Thorpedo Anna's debut race returned, with one winner and three finishing second or third in their next start. She bested a non-descript herd in her last start, the field comprising of a few last-out maiden winners and some runners hunting for their second-lifetime victory. Both of Thorpedo Anna's final furlong fractions were completed in 12 and change, despite her commanding leads. The Thorpedo Anna's distaff line class skips to the third generation and includes quirky Wood Memorial (G1) winner and sire Eskendreya and the multiple Group 1 winning turf sprinter Balmont. Contender.

                Ashley

           Laurie

7. West Sunset (2-1)

5. Central Avenue (5-1)

8. Thorpedo Anna (8-5)

7. West Sunset (2-1)

6. Gin Gin (8-1)

8. Thorpedo Anna (8-5)

5. Central Avenue (5-1)

2. Intricate (6-1)