Debutante

TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS

The lone juvenile filly who did not break her maiden in her last start is our
top choice in Saturday’s $100,000 Debutante S. (G3) at Churchill Downs. After
taking her career debut at Keeneland, GARDEN DISTRICT (Dixie Union)
was well back in the early going, then advanced strongly while three wide around
the turn before finishing with interest for runner-up honors against males in
the Kentucky S. (G3) on May 1. The Todd Pletcher trainee should relish the extra
distance in this spot and rates the nod.

We like a couple of longshots for a top-three placing. RENDA (Medaglia d’Or),
who is 12-1 on the morning line, was a good-looking winner in her debut at
Calder. The dark bay filly showed good speed on the rail before easily drawing
off in the stretch for a five-length score. Wesley Henry travels from Florida to
retain the mount. CORLETT (Outofthebox) showed nice speed on the rail while in
hand before gamely dueling through the stretch and prevailing by a neck in her
last start. She breaks on the rail here and is our sleeper.

Steve Asmussen, who has trained the last three winners of this race, will
saddle first-out winners SONGTRESS (Songandaprayer) and SIMPLIFY (Pulpit), who
will be uncoupled in the wagering. Of the two, we’re going to give a slight edge
to Songtress, who appeared to win more easily than her stablemate. Note that
both of these were not the favorite in their debuts.

Another Calder shipper, RUNAWAY HEART (Runaway Groom), will make her first
start for trainer D. Wayne Lukas, who has saddled a record six winners in the
Debutante. The gray filly broke quickly to a clear lead before running off to a
8 1/4-length victory in her latest. With improvement, she has upset potential.
CAMERON CRAZIES (Lion Heart), also trained by Lukas and uncoupled in the
wagering, pressed three wide around the turn before eking out a win in her
latest. She finished second to a good one in her debut at Keeneland. Both of
these must be respected.

After finishing sixth to Songtress in her debut, RACHEL ALEXANDRA (Medaglia
d’Or) displayed excellent gate speed before responding well and holding sway by
1 1/4 lengths last out. She is worth a second look at large odds. YO ELEVEN
(Yonaguska) broke her maiden in the rain on a sealed, sloppy track by 4 1/2
lengths last out. We’re just going to watch. The well-named SUPER PONI (Volponi)
broke her maiden at River Downs in her latest and may be in a little tough
with these.