Juvenile filly looks to be a star
In late December of 2009, I entered a new face into my Equibase virtual stable with the following note: “2 year-old filly had a rocket up her ass in the Hollywood Starlet.” That may sound a little crude, but watch a replay of that race, and I dare you to disagree with me. The race was my introduction to a filly who would go on to become one of my very favorites, Blind Luck. I have yet to see another horse explode with that kind of rapid acceleration, or a turn of foot to cause a track announcer to lose his cool and screech, “Oh my goodness!” It was a performance foreshadowing her greatness to come, and still stands as one of her most impressive runs. The Hollywood Starlet marks the last grade I event for juvenile fillies this year, and there’s a good chance we might see another superstar emerge from its ranks.
This Saturday, a field of only five rivals has lined up to challenge Weemissfrankie, a New York-bred filly with a penchant for dominating her competition in the West. The talented daughter of Sunriver has 3 wins in 4 starts, with her only loss a third-place finish in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies. She already owns two grade I victories—the Del Mar Debutante and the Oak Leaf Stakes, the latter of which was won at Santa Anita. As the only graded stakes winner in the field, it’s suffice to say she towers over the competition in the Starlet. Like Blind Luck, Weemissfrankie’s style is hanging near the back of the pack before turning on the after-burners. In her last victory, she flew out of the clouds to nip Candrea a jump before the wire. She put on similar runs in her maiden and in the Del Mar Debutante, though she took the Debutante by daylight. Could this late-running chestnut filly in pink silks be the second-coming of Blind Luck?
There are a few contenders in here who would love to have revenge on Weemissfrankie. Self Preservation has faced Weemissfrankie three times, and has yet to beat her. Still, she finished right behind her in second in the Del Mar Debutante and in fourth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies. Self Preservation has only won her maiden, but shows potential if she could only escape Weemissfrankie’s shadow.
Charm The Maker has 2 wins in 3 starts, with her only loss coming to Weemissfrankie in the Oak Leaf, where she came in third. Charm The Maker won last time out over Killer Graces in the Sharp Cat Stakes at Hollywood. Killer Grace has a pair of overnight stakes victories at Hollywood, and is hoping to break a 4-race losing streak. Killer Graces finished 5th in the Del Mar Debutante.
Lady Pecan and Mi Vida could win this race if all the other horses ran the wrong way around the track. Maybe that’s too harsh. Let’s just note that Lady Pecan was fourth in the previously mentioned Sharp Cat Stakes, and only has a win in a Woodbine maiden claiming race. If she does manage to win this race, somebody will be cashing in a whopper of a ticket. The same goes with Mi Vida, who has run four times and has never hit the board.
In short, Weemissfrankie has nothing much standing in her way in the Starlet. Her biggest obstacle will be playing the chess match that is a small field, and overcoming a new track. From her past performances, it seems this filly can run on anything, so it would be no surprise if she turns out to love Hollywood. Remember who also loved Hollywood Park?
The Grade I Hollywood Starlet will be broadcast live from Hollywood Park on TVG. Post time is scheduled for approximately 7:37pm ET.
Most Recent Sports Comments
Oh, by the way, the “Champaign County YMCA” no longer exists. The official name is now the “Stephens Family YMCA” (the website has not been updated, but check out the latest program guide). And no, it’s not just the name of the building. It’s the name of the organization.
Very inspired Photochops as well….
Props on the new YMCA dig. I think it’s a terrible spot for it, but then again, I’m not well-to-do and I’m not willing to drive 15 minutes at $4/gallon to exercise for an hour.
http://motorcycle-intelligence.com/do-loud-pipes-save-lives/1119/ Are you a smoker, too? I feel like I’m just getting recycled arguments.
http://www.motorcyclecruiser.com/streetsurvival/dangerous_motorcycle_safety_myths/index.html “Myth 2: Loud Pipes Save Lives”
Yes, I also love the idea of the downtown! However, the “turds” that ride Harley’s or any other motorcycle have the right to ride their motorcycles regardless of the “loudness” anywhere they want. They are buying gas, hence they are contributing to the motor fuel tax that…
Yup, this was the year I realized there’s no way this is my last CU marathon, even though I’m gradumacating next week.Where else am I gonna get cheered on by 70+ year old heart-of-gold volunteers who smile at me so genuinely I could believe I’m their granddaughter?…
I always have a good, but disappointed, laugh when marathon time creeps up and I start seeing posts on the WCIA Facebook page lamenting race day and how difficult it is to get around town that day. One this year said, “can’t they just go run in…
Reminds me of Total Football (soccer) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Total_Football
Most Popular Sports Articles (60 days)
- Signing through nine innings
- Groce: Point blank
- Spring race season
- Politickin’: John Groce and Don Gerard work the beer crowd
- Catching up with Illini baseball
- The Calm after the Storm
- Matt Bollant saves Illini athletics, Day 1
- Groce loses first staffer
- Training for Gold: An Olympic blog
- Fourth Illinois Marathon = Nearly Ideal
Most Recent Comments
Get yours early. The Rave’s CD will be available at Exile and at The C-U Flea on Saturday. C-U Flea details here: http://www.smilepolitely.com/news/sp_radio_podcast_c-u_flea_arrives/
I don’t know about Gerard and a random police sargeant. My (mild) outrage is based on this: “...he worked closely with Champaign City Clerk Marilyn Banks to make sure he was licensed properly as a transient food peddler, filling out the necessary paperwork and paying a $225…
Local Yocal pretty much nails it here. I suspect there will be merchants who oppose food trucks because they arguably don’t pay their fair share to locate their trucks in high traffic (high rent) areas. The food trucks take away business from rent payers, park in city…
Oh nice! I’d totally vote for Matt Campbell!
“Smile Politely sports writer announces candidacy for city government.”
I also got to visit Big Grove Tavern during the soft open and definitely enjoyed the pork belly the most of all the dishes I sampled. The cheesy grits and the vinegary pickled vegetables were a perfect compliment to the rich pork belly.
The Alan Partridge lookalike on the right in the first small photo has nothing to condescend to anyone about. AH HA!
Snell and the little Hitlers of the neighborhood association need to chill out. Legitimate businesses should have the freedom to exist without having to endure the slings and arrows of ignorant and misguided opposition.
represent, Matt.
Yeah, I’d agree that Transporter Room 3 is the worst house venue I’ve ever seen.
Food trucks are the start-up, small businesses of the future for those unable to afford real estate. No surprise, that merchants who pay rent, utilities, and maintenance on a property would despise the traveling competition. Or developers who build more empty retail spaces would want to close…
Not so much far-right Tea Party as a balanced, moderate viewpoint between letting businesses succeed and protecting society with reasonable regulations. In spite of what the city reps are saying, the interpretation of policy on this issue certainly has changed. Letting a business start up under one…
I think it’s neat that SP has turned rightward, now espousing a Tea Party-style frustration with government regulations & taxes.
This makes me so sad. (Happy to live in Urbana, though!) Crave Truck has been a GREAT addition to the food choices in C-U, and it’d be a travesty to chase them away. This town should be supporting small businesses. I’m glad to hear that they’ll still…
*slow. clap.* Still offering no threat of intelligence…. I know I said I thought you should just write this whole column yourself next year, Isaac, but now that you’ve gone and taken a “part deux” run at it, I’d like to modify my request: Best Music 2013,…
Actually, it’s kind of nice, the quiet. John Heoffleur’s engaging commentary/dialogue is sorely missed, however. In lieu of someone intelligent saying something, I’ve compiled a list of Honourable Mentions: BEST ROCK BAND: Take Care ::these gentlemen have four completely different sets at their disposal right now (which…
What? Echo! (Echo!) Where’s the dischord and dissent?
This weekend will mark the first appearance of Kayla Brown’s Fire Doll Candle booth at the Market. Check it: http://www.facebook.com/firedollcandles
And without bloodshed. Sounds like the Savoy trustees aren’t as narrow-minded as some of their whiny pants constituents. Do you think quack Snell is already planning an asinine counterattack or is he still laying low after those “threats” against his person?
hey, if hair ain’t gon’ be over your head, my jokes may as well be.
Facebook
Twitter
Full Site
@Dan - Wow. Unfortunately, I have to refrain from further comment due to a previous employment relationship. But with that brief context you might be able to imagine possible comments or responses I could have.