Two fillies, different paths
It would almost be cool to see a rematch between winner Haveyougoneaway and runner-up Sarah Sis after Saturday's by-a-neck finish in the 6-furlong American Beauty at Oaklawn Park. But these fillies are on very different paths. Dead-game in defeat, Sarah Sis will be pointed to the 1 1/16th mile Bayakoa on Feb. 14, then the 1 1/16th mile Apple Blossom Handicap on April 15, according to trainer Ingrid Mason. Haveyougoneaway will continue at a sprint distance in the 5 ½ furlong Spring Fever on Feb. 20, according to Trainer Allen Milligan's comments.
Lucky me, I plan to be present at Oaklawn for both contests.
Mason is taking the long look with her filly, with the goal of running in the 7-furlong Breeders Cup Filly and Mare Sprint on Nov. 4-5 at Santa Anita Park, according to Oaklawn Notes. Sarah Sis has shown great versatility, with graded stakes wins at sprints and routes.
She didn't lose any fans in defeat Saturday, battling fiercely with Haveyougoneaway after a speed duel with Super Saks that left that filly wilting down the lane. Sarah's Sis briefly looked like she would dispatch Haveyougoneaway, who just wouldn't give up. Great race.
It was disappointing to see a dull performance from Spring Included, who finished last. Her ownership had said before the race that she'd likely be retired and bred to The Big Beast if things didn't go well.
I'm always watching for fun, but Sunday's racing will be strictly that, as I don't plan to handicap any races, just sit back and see who's winning. (And there's house cleaning to do and AFC/NFC championships to keep an eye on.)
In the first race, I have a soft spot for Shraded Edge. He's a salty 9-year-old gelding who has done some of his best running at Oaklawn Park. After three wins at Oaklawn in 2012, he was even tried in the Grade 3 Razorback Handicap against eventual winner Alternation. He's at the $5,000 Claiming level now, but he still likes to win. And I hope he does.
In the second race, a 6-furlong $68K Maiden, I'm interested to see the filly Can't Be Dazzled. She has a miniature donkey friend, Fergie, who I'm now following on Twitter. I saw a TV clip of Can't Be Dazzled letting out of panicked whinny when Fergie was out of her eyesight. What a pair. Can't Be Dazzled appears to be the most qualified in the race.
The eighth race is Sunday's feature, an Optional Claiming $20K for fillies and mares at 1 16th miles, with a purse of $70K. This is a competitive group, but I'll be rooting for a long shot, Purr, whose dam side family I follow. Purr, 4, is by Bluegrass Cat out of French Kiss. Her 3-year-old half-sister, Fuhriously Kissed, got a rough start and finished well to place second in a maiden special weight last weekend — as a long shot. Go Purr!
First post is at 1:30 p.m. Sunday; feature race at 4:42 p.m.