Emollient Even Money in Demoiselle

Juddmonte Farms’ homebred Emollient looks to build on her impressive maiden victory in Saturday's Grade 2,  $250,000 Demoiselle for juvenile fillies at Aqueduct Racetrack. 

Trained by Hall of Famer Bill Mott, Emollient was second at nearly 20-1 in her debut in September at Saratoga, beaten only a half-length by Cue the Moon, who returned to finish a game second to My Happy Face in the Grade 3 Tempted. A daughter of Empire Maker, Emollient returned as the odds-on choice at Belmont in her next start and did not disappoint, rallying three-wide on the turn and going on to a 2 ¾-length win.

She covered the seven furlongs in 1:23.83, earning a 98 Beyer speed figure.

Junior Alvarado will ride Emollient, the even-money favorite on the morning line, from the rail.

Repole and Pletcher also will be well-represented in the Demoiselle with Unlimited Budget, who sailed to a 9 ½-length maiden victory on November 9 at the Big A. Coconut Shrimp also was entered but most likely will run in Thursday’s Lie Low on the turf.

In her first start, Unlimited Budget, a daughter of Street Sense for whom Repole paid $475,000 at the OBS March Selected Sale of Two-Year-Olds in Training, took command with a half-mile to go and was never challenged as she completed the mile in 1:37.82 over a “good” track.

“She’s pretty special,” said Repole of Unlimited Budget. “She’s coming back on 15 days rest, but there aren’t too many options at the distance.”

The pair is listed at 2-1 on the morning line, with Unlimited Budget drawing post position 3 under Hall of Famer John Velazquez. Coconut Shrimp drew post 5 with Javier Castellano in the irons.

Rounding out the field are Miss Patricia, Flash Forward, Giant Cats Eye, and Ruby Lips.