DISTAFF DIARY
MAY 18, 2006
by Jennifer Caldwell
PUSSYCAT DOLL (Real Quiet) and Behaving Badly (Pioneering) gave trainer Bob
Baffert a one-two finish in the Humana Distaff (G1) on Derby Day two weeks ago,
with the former wearing down her stablemate in the final sixteenth for the
length victory. The bay four-year-old vindicated her La Brea S. (G1) win from
late December, which she won by 5 3/4 lengths after being sent off at nearly
7-1. Pussycat Doll has never finished worse than fifth in her career, with that
one coming in the Indiana Breeders’ Cup Oaks (G3) last year, and appears ready to go on to
bigger and better things down the road. She’s already gave her dam a great
start, being the first registered foal out of the 1999 La Brea winner, Hookedonthefeelin (Citidancer).
Behaving Badly was bringing a four-race win streak into the Humana and led
throughout the seven-furlong test. Described by Baffert at being a “rocket
ship,” the bay mare had dominated the distaff sprint ranks so far this year and
could continue to do so considering Pussycat Doll has shown she can stretch out
and win.
One of the races highlighting the festivities of Oaks Day went to a star in
the making. OONAGH MACCOOL (Ire) (Giant’s Causeway) has dropped just one start
during her career, that coming while making her U.S. debut in the grassy Soaring
Softly S. at Aqueduct. Switched to the dirt by Todd Pletcher after that,
the chestnut miss has reeled off three straight wins, including the Rampart H. (G2),
by a combined 13 3/4 lengths. On Oaks Day, she missed the break of the Louisville Breeders’ Cup S. (G2), hopping at the start, and ran wide for
much of the 1 1/16-mile test. Oonagh Maccool steadily made up ground before
easily taking over in the stretch and pulling away for the victory.
Pletcher also sent out the runner-up in the Louisville Breeders’ Cup,
saddling La Reason (Labeeb [GB]) off a third in the Apple Blossom H. (G1).
Though proud of both his charges, the conditioner was particularly happy with
Oonagh Maccool’s run, saying she would point for the June 17 Fleur de Lis S.
(G2) back at Churchill.
MAGNOLIA JACKSON (Cape Canaveral) has specialized at the six-furlong distance
for much of her career, but the bay four-year-old stretched out an extra furlong
to take Aqueduct’s Bed o’ Roses Breeders’ Cup H. (G2) on April 22. Though it was
a win, the margin at the wire was only a neck, perhaps indicating she should
stick with three-quarters of a mile in the future. Trainer Gary Contessa took
hope from her effort, though, and suggested he might try her at a mile in her
next one. On that day, however, the bay managed to get her neck down on the line.
Champion Smuggler (Unbridled) finished last of the five in the Bed o’ Roses
as the near 6-5 favorite, but had a lot to overcome, stumbling at the start
while making her return to competition off a nine-month layoff. She’s probably
much better than that effort suggested and could come back in a big way at
Belmont.
FLEET INDIAN (Indian Charlie) was purchased by current owner Paul Saylor for
$290,000 as a broodmare prospect at the Keeneland January sale, but after a 12
1/2-length win in the April 22 Sixty Sails H. (G3) at Hawthorne, her connections
are glad to have her racing. The five-year-old mare has now captured her past four
races, including the Next Move H. (G3) prior to the Sixty Sails, and doesn’t
appear to be slowing down anytime soon.