BY BROCK SHERIDAN
Honey Dijon, who shares honors as the Florida-bred champion 2-year-old filly of 2023 with R Harper Rose, is set to make her first start of the year Saturday at Churchill Downs in the $225,000 Mamzelle for 3-year-old fillies on the turf. A full gate of 14, plus four on the also-eligible list, have entered the five-and-a-half-furlong Mamzelle, including Florida-bred multiple stakes-winner Let Them Watch.
Trained by Joe Sharp for owner Brad Grady, Honey Dijon last year battled with R Harper Rose in the last two filly divisions of the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association Florida Sire Stakes at Gulfstream Park. She was second to that rival in the $200,000 Susan’s Girl going seven furlongs on Oct. 21 before turning the tables to win the $400,000 My Dear Girl at a mile-and-a-sixteenth on Dec. 2.
In her only other start against stakes company, Honey Dijon was sixth in the $499,000 Pepsi Untappable won by Crown Imperial going six-and-a-half furlongs on the unique turf course at Kentucky Downs on Sept. 13.
Honey Dijon has won two of five career starts with a second while earning $284,450. Bred in Florida by Brady and Misty Grady, Honey Dijon is by Girvin out of Archangelous, by Empire Maker.
Ricard Santana will ride Honey Dijon from post 14.
Let Them Watch will make her first start on grass seeking her first win since taking the $50,000 Sandpiper going six furlongs on Dec. 2 at Tampa Bay Downs.
In her first start this year, she was fourth, beaten less than three lengths by winner Into Champagne in the $100,000 Glitter Woman over a sloppy six furlongs on Jan. 7. In her only race since, she was fifth in the $106,000 Melody of Colors won by Mamzelle-rival Twirling Queen sprinting five furlongs on the synthetic on March 24, both at Gulfstream.
Let Them Watch is trained by Mike Maker for owner Case Chambers. Chambers purchased the daughter of Maximus Mischief for $55,000 out of the Randy Miles consignment at last year’s Ocala Breeders’ Sales Spring Sale. She also went through the 2022 OBS October Yearling Sale but did not meet her reserve when consigned by Summerfield.
Let Them Watch has won half of her six races while banking $136,935. She is out of My Rolez, by Proud Accolade and was bred in Florida by Tracy Pinchin.
She has drawn post one and Jarreth Loveberry will ride.
Twirling Queen is trying for her third consecutive victory having also won a first condition, $75,000 optional claiming going five furlongs on synthetic at Gulfstream Park on Feb. 8 after winning the off-the-turf Melody of Colors.
Jose D’Angelo trains Twirling Queen for GU Racing Stable LLC. She has a lifetime record of three wins in six starts with earnings of $162,243. Twirling Queen is by Twirling Candy out of Adventurous Lady, by Kantharos.
She has drawn post eight and Franciso Arrieta has the mount.
Rounding out the field for the Mamzelle are Nice as Pie with jockey Adam Beschizza, Big Trouble and rider Brian Hernandez Jr., Pipit with Alex Conception set to ride, Cristian Torres has the mount on Cloudwalker, Tipsy Runner will have Julien Leparoux in the irons, Parola Sicura with jockey Jaime Torres, Toupie has Jorge Ruiz named aboard, Twirl Around and pilot Jose Ortiz, Niki Nine Doors will carry Abel Cedillo, Imaboutago (Ire) has Tyler Gaffalione taking the riding assignment and Florent Geroux rides Rhapsody. Tipsy Tammy, Hot Beach, Moonlit Lady and Fibber are on the also-eligible list.
