Dancinginherdreams Looks Tough in Davona Dale
Forward Gal (G2) runner-up Dancinginherdreams heads a field of nine three-year-old fillies in Saturday's Davona Dale Stakes (G2) at Gulfstream Park.
The Jan 30 Foward Gal was run at seven furlongs and Pomeroys Pistol dueled, opened up, and just lasted over fast closing beaten favorite Dancinginherdreams, who was making her first start since winning the Pocahontas (G2) at Churchill Downs in October.
Dancinginherdreams should be tighter this time around and figures to appreciate the added furlong. She sports a Palm Meadows bullet since her last and Julien Leparoux takes his usual seat aboard the John Ward trainee.
Pomeroys Pistol likes this track with a win in the Forward Gal and a place in the Old Hat (G3). Today's flat mile test will stretch her stamina limits but speed rules at this distance and she might get brave if able to sneak away from likely pace players Hot Summer and Roxy Gap.
R Heat Lightning surprisingly failed to show up in the Forward Gal and finished a flat 4th after getting bumped at the start and racing wide. She was an Exacta player in her five previous outings including a win in the Spinaway (G1) and runner-up effort in the BC Juvenile Fillies (G1). She continues to train well and should be forwardly placed throughout for Todd Pletcher and John Velazquez.
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Roxy Gap easily captured all three Woodbine starts in 2010. She finished a troubled 3rd in the Old Hat and should get involved earlier with a clean beginning. The daughter of hot sire Indian Charlie obviously has talent and her task is not impossible.
Oh Carole is an interesting price player for Eddie Kenneally. The undefeated daughter of Unbridled's Song earned a quality speed rating in a local entry level allowance event at 6.5 furlongs Jan 30. She did not disappoint as the favorite both times out and we should get a better idea of her true talents in this spot. Castellano hops aboard as Leparoux obviously sticks with Dancinginherdreams.
Evil Queen rallied for the show in the Forward Gal and can land another minor award if one of the big girls fail to fire.
Hot Summer makes her first start since November and has yet to race beyond six furlongs.
Mending Hearts is on the improve for Marty Wolfson but this is her first start against winners and she meets some seasoned stakes foes.
Bellaridge was a troubled, distant 5th behind Kathmanblu in the grassy Sweetest Chant last time. She did win a flat mile allowance race at Churchill Downs to end her juvenile season but seems up against it from a class standpoint.
The $250,000 Davona Dale (8th race) is expected to go off at 4:23PM ET on Feb 26.