Applauding will try two turns in Silverbulletday

Applauding, the fastest 2-year-old filly stabled at Fair Grounds until proven otherwise, showed Friday she can run as well on dirt as on Polytrack. Her next hurdle will be distance, with Applauding scheduled to stretch out after two six-furlong races to begin her career in the 1 1/16-mile Silverbulletday Stakes on Jan. 21.

Applauding set a six-furlong synthetic-surface track record when she won her career debut by nine lengths Oct. 14 at Keeneland, and she was equally dominant in Friday’s sixth race, making an early lead from the rail, racing her opening half-mile in less than 45 seconds, and going on to a six-length victory under Shane Sellers while ridden out to the wire. Applauding’s Beyer Speed Figure of 91 neatly lined up with the 92 she earned in her debut.

“Shane said she reminds him of the really good horses he used to ride,” said Al Stall, who trains Applauding for Ramona Bass.