Biofuel looks like a champion in Selene

Biofuel has entered the discussion as a Canadian Horse of the Year candidate (WEG/Michael Burns Photography) Brereton C. Jones’ homebred BIOFUEL (Stormin Fever) stayed perfect at Woodbine this campaign with a patented late-closing victory in Sunday’s $247,870 Selene S. (Can-G3), solidifying her case for a Sovereign Award. Slowly away for regular pilot Eurica Da Silva, the Reade Baker filly commenced her rally on the far turn, collared Kitty in a Tizzy (Tiznow) in midstretch and kicked two lengths clear. The prohibitive 1-5 choice negotiated 1 1/16 Polytrack miles in 1:43 1/5 to add the Selene to a 2010 resume that includes wins in the Star Shoot S., La Lorgnette S. and Belle Mahone S. The sophomore filly’s only losses this season have come on the dirt in New York, where she finished runner-up in the Coaching Club American Oaks (G1) at Saratoga and third in the Mother Goose S. (G1) at Belmont. Baker made the case for Biofuel as Canada’s Horse of the Year. “I don’t think there’s been a horse in Canada, in all categories, that has run better than her this year,” the trainer said.

Biofuel was Canada’s co-champion two-year-old filly last
year, when she captured the Mazarine S. (Can-G3) and wound up a
brutal-trip fourth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1).

Baker
indicated that Biofuel was unlikely to proceed to the Breeders’ Cup at
Churchill Downs.

“It’s going to be up to the owner. Rachel Alexandra (Medaglia
d’Oro), Blind Luck (Pollard’s Vision), Zenyatta (Street Cry [Ire]) may
even be there,” Baker said, listing possible Ladies Classic (G1)
contenders. “I think that’s too much of a task for a three-year-old. As
a four-year-old, she would be perfect.”

Biofuel’s scorecard now stands at 11-6-1-1, $758,493.

Also at Woodbine on Sunday, David C. Egan’s MEKONG MELODY (Ire) (Cape
Cross [Ire]) prevailed in the $103,360
Flaming Page S. for the second straight
year. Unlike last year, when up on the pace, this time the Roger Attfield mare
bided her time in midpack. Patrick Husbands gave her the cue on the far turn,
and the 3-5 favorite asserted her authority at the top of the stretch. Mekong
Melody held a three-quarter length advantage at the wire while stopping the
teletimer in 2:31 1/5 for 1 1/2 miles on the firm turf.

Successful in the Dance
Smartly S. (Can-G2) in her belated reappearance, the five-year-old mare was
coming off a subpar last of 10 in the Ballston Spa H. (G2) at Saratoga. With
this third stakes score to her credit, Mekong Melody has compiled a 19-6-5-2
record with $405,411 in her account.