Weemissfrankie On Edge for Debutante

Peter Eurton-trained Weemissfrankie has worked four times since defeating a highly-regarded field of maiden fillies in her racing debut on July 20, opening day of the Del Mar meeting. Two of the workouts earned bullets as the fastest of the day at the distance, the other two were plenty swift.

So this morning, Eurton was keen to see what will happen this afternoon when Weemissfrankie faces nine rivals as the 9-2 morning line second choice,  behind 7-2 Dreamcaster, in the $250,000, Grade I Del Mar Debutante.

Weemissfrankie, a 2-year-old daughter of Sun River, was purchased at an April sale for $175,000 by a partnership which includes members of the family of the late Frank Alesia, for whom the filly was named.

““I feel like we have a fit horse and we have a good horse,” Eurton said of the development of Weemissfrankie in the six weeks since her career-opening victory.  Rafael Bejarano will be back aboard for the much tougher assignment today.

“The thing about Bejarano is that he doesn’t assume anything and lets the race unfold,” Eurton said. “For me, I’d like to see her fourth or fifth (early on). She’s got such a great turn of foot, why does she have to be up there winging?

“ It’s up to him, because you look at the race and there’s talent with speed that will be up front and talented closers who’ll be coming from behind. If the pace is slow,  I’d like to see her a little closer (than in her debut win). But it’s up to him.”

A Debutante win would be the highlight of the career of Eurton, a 54-year-old former jockey.

“There’s anxiety, nerves, excitement, all of that,” Eurton said.