NEWS
Gozzip Girl faces daunting challenge
in American Oaks
Posted: Thursday, July 02, 2009 7:57 PM
GOZZIP GIRL
Adam Coglianese/NYRA photo
by Mike Curry
Gozzip Girl has won three of her previous four starts entering the $700,000 American Oaks Invitational Stakes (G1) on Sunday at Hollywood Park but maintaining that momentum against a deep cast figures to be a difficult challenge.
The three-year-old Dynaformer filly posted a clear win in the Coconut Grove Stakes in February and won the Herecomesthebride Stakes (G3) by a half-length in March, both on the turf at Gulfstream Park.
Gozzip Girl subsequently finished second on the synthetic Polytrack surface at Keeneland Race Course in the Ashland Stakes (G1) on April 4, but she rediscovered her winning form with a return to grass in the Sands Point Stakes (G2) on May 30.
Trained by Tom Albertrani for owner Farnsworth Stables, Gozzip Girl will face 15 three-year-old fillies in the 1 1/4-mile turf race.
The California-based contingent appears to be a solid group headed by Grade 2 winner Well Monied and Mrs Kipling (Ire), who enters off a 2 1/2-length score in the Senorita Stakes (G3) on May 3 at Hollywood.
Honeymoon Handicap (G2) winner Well Monied has won three straight races entering the American Oaks, which also drew Honeymoon runner-up Acting Lady and third-place finisher Lexlenos (Ire). Grade 1-placed Third Dawn enters off a third-place finish in the Hollywood Oaks (G2) on June 7.
Several international contenders will attempt to follow in the footsteps of Japanese invader Cesario (Jpn), who won the race in 2005, and Dimitrova, who won her North American debut in the 2003 American Oaks. The international contingent features New Zealand Group 2 winner Puttanesca (NZ), Irish Group 2-placed winner Rare Ransom (GB), and English stakes winner Apple Charlotte (GB).
Puttanesca won the New Zealand Bloodstock Royal Stakes (NZ-G2) on January 1 but is winless in six subsequent starts. Rare Ransom enters off a fourth-place finish in the Boylesports.com Irish One Thousand Guineas (Ire-G1) for trainer Dermot Weld, who trained Dimitrova.
Appalachian Stakes (G3) winner Afternoon Stroll, stakes winner Pretty Unusual, Regret Stakes (G2) runner-up The Best Day Ever, stakes-placed winner Magical Affair, and maiden winner Nan round out the field.
Mike Curry is a Thoroughbred Times TODAY editor
