BY BROCK SHERIDAN
After Florida-breds Dorth Vader in 2023 and Fiona’s Magic last year, Frida and My Denysse will try to extend the Sunshine State winning streak to three in the Grade 2 Fasig-Tipton Davona Dale at Gulfstream Park Saturday. Seven 3-year-old fillies are set to go a mile for the winner’s share of the $215,000 purse, which includes $15,000 in Florida-bred bonus money presented by the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owner’s Association.
After bursting out of post 10 and getting a quick lead last out in the Grade 3 Fasig-Tipton Forward Gal at Gulfstream on Feb. 1, Frida was unable to keep up with the blistering pace set by Rojo Rita, finishing fifth behind winner Eclatant.
An easier tempo Saturday could make Frida an upset possibility with 10-1 morning line odds. Trainer Jose D’Angelo also put her through a solid five-furlong work in :59.55 at Palm Meadows on Feb. 20 that was the best of seven that morning—indicating the possibility of further improvement in her fourth career start in the Davona Dale.
She also showed her potential when leading from the start to break her maiden by nearly six lengths two starts back in six-and-a-half-furlong maiden special weight for Florida-bred fillies at Gulfstream on Jan. 3.
Frida is by City of Light out of multiple stakes-winning mare Under Serviced, by Hook and Ladder and was bred in Florida by Helen and Joseph Barbazon.
She has shown speed from an early age as owner Lugamo Racing Stable LLC purchased Frida for $140,000 out of the Top Line Sales consignment at last year’s Ocala Breeders’ Sales March Sale where she produced a :10 flat furlong during the under tack program.
(Frida’s Under Tack Video / Walking Video)
An earner of $43,030 in her previous three starts, Frida will be ridden from post two by Emisael Jaramillo.
My Denysee will start from the immediate right of Frida in post three with jockey Jesus Rios.
Trained by Ruben Sierra, who also owns and bred the dark bay or brown filly in the name of his Just for Fun Stable Inc., My Denysse was seventh in Forward Gal after being bumped at the start.
The daughter of Pleasant Acres Stallions’ Neolithic should have no problem with the distance as she finished her 2-year-old season winning the $300,000 My Dear Girl at odds of 35-1 going a mile-and-a-sixteenth in the final leg of the filly division of the FTBOA Florida Sire Stakes.
My Denysse is out of Sophia’s Pride, by Pleasant Tap and has earned $203,400 from one win and a second in six starts.
Look for Rios have her coming late and at a possible good price as she is 20-1 on the morning line.
La Cara is the 8-5 morning line favorite as she enters off a six-and-a-quarter-lengths score in the mile-and-40-yard Suncoast at Tampa Bay Downs in her only start this year.
The daughter of Street Sense finished last year running fifth in the Grade 2 NetJets Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies in November after winning the Grade 3 Pocahontas at Churchill Downs in September.
La Cara is owned by Tracy Farmer and will be ridden from post four by Dylan Davis.
Other fillies set for the Davona Dale are The Queens M G with Irad Ortiz Jr. riding, Madeline’s Promise will have Corey Lanerie up, Ballerina d’Oro and jockey Tyler Gaffalione and Quinn’s Promise will have Junior Alvarado in the saddle.
Return to the February 28 issue of Wire to Wire
