FILLY & MARE TURF DIARY
MARCH 14, 2006
by Kellie Reilly
This year’s distaff turf division will likely witness something of a youth
movement. With several top female turf performers — led by champion
Intercontinental (GB) (Danehill) and the brilliant Megahertz (GB) (Pivotal) —
beginning their new careers as broodmares, the divisional leadership is up for
grabs. The four-year-old SILVER CUP (Ire) (Almutawakel [GB]) has staked her
claim in California, and the lightly raced five-year-old WEND (Pulpit) has
served notice that she’ll be a force to reckon with in the East.
Silver Cup has looked positively stylish in landing the 1 1/8-mile San
Gorgonio H. (G2) and then successfully cutting back in trip in the one-mile
Buena Vista H. (G2). On both occasions, she accelerated smartly to mow down
leaders who were not exactly stopping. In the first race, she collared the
classy TICKER TAPE (GB) (Royal Applause [GB]) and in the second, she swept past
a loose-on-the-lead ELUSIVE DIVA (Elusive Quality). I must confess that I
underestimated the Patrick Biancone-trained filly, as her prime credential last
year was a victory in the Premio Regina Elena (Ity-G2), or Italian One Thousand
Guineas. She made no impression when seventh in the American Invitational Oaks
(G1) in her U.S. debut last summer, and although she was a creditable third in
the Mrs. Revere S. (G2) in her only other stakes appearance, that result did not
suggest she was anything special. This year, however, Silver Cup has been a
revelation.
While I was sluggish to come around to Silver Cup, I have been a Wend
enthusiast since last year. The Bill Mott trainee did not disappoint in her
2006 debut in the Honey Fox H. (G3) at Gulfstream Park. Wend dictated the pace
throughout, finishing the 1 1/16-mile event in an eye-popping 1:38 1/5, if those
Gulfstream turf times can be believed. Considering how much she accomplished in
her first full season of racing in 2005, she should build on that foundation and
scale even greater heights this year. It’s worth remembering how rapidly she
progressed last season. In the span of five starts, she climbed the ladder from
maiden status, through a pair of allowance conditions, to listed stakes and
finally a Grade 2 triumph in the New York H. at Belmont, in which she upended
such stalwarts as Wonder Again (Silver Hawk) (since retired) and FILM MAKER (Dynaformer)
(just now back on the worktab). After a sixth in the Beverly D. S. (G1), she was
a tremendous second to Intercontinental in the Galaxy S. (G2) at Keeneland.
Despite rating behind the champion’s slow, uncontested pace, Wend uncorked an
energetic rally to narrow Intercontinental’s margin to three-quarters of a
length at the line. Wend closed her season with a sixth in the Breeders’ Cup
Filly & Mare Turf (G1). If she stays healthy this year, she will be one of
the leading contenders for that contest.
The Honey Fox was also noteworthy for the reappearance of HONEY RYDER
(Lasting Approval), who had not raced since landing the E. P. Taylor S. (Can-G1)
last October. The Todd Pletcher-trained gray finished a solid third, beaten a
total of 2 1/2 lengths, at a distance much too short for her. The 1 1/16-mile
affair will likely serve as an excellent tune-up for a defense of her title in
the Orchid H. (G2) on April 1.