Fleet Renee To Make '02 Bow Preakness Week

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Multiple grade I winner Fleet Renee will make her first start of year in Friday's Pimlico Breeders' Cup Distaff Handicap (gr. III) where she'll likely meet the likes of Canadian champion Dancethruthedawn and graded winner Atelier, along with eight other rivals.

Fleet Renee has made just two starts since winning last year's Kentucky Oaks (gr. I), and will be making her first start since a third-place finish in the Gazelle Handicap (gr. I) for 3-year-old fillies last September. She was set to make her 4-year-old debut in the April 6 Apple Blossom Handicap (gr. I) but was scratched on race day after suffering what trainer Michael Dickinson called a "minor problem."

Challenging Fleet Renee will be Canada's 3-year-old filly champion Dancethruthedawn who notched a 5 1/2 length win in Keeneland's April 18 Doubledogdare Stakes in her 4-year-old debut. Last year, the Sam-Son homebred daughter of Mr. Prospector knocked off Canada's subsequent horse of the year Win City in the Queen's Plate Stakes.

Another tough challenger will be the Shug McGaughey-trained Atelier. In her last outing, the daughter of Deputy Minister finished second, 3/4 of a length behind winner Raging Fever, in the April 20 Bed O'Roses Handicap (gr. III) at Aqueduct.

The field for the Pimlico Breeders Cup Distaff Handicap (gr. III) includes: Mandy's Gold (no rider, 112); Dancethruthedawn (Robby Albarado, 119); Summer Colony (John Velazquez, 119); Fleet Renee (Jerry Bailey, 120); Shiny Sheet (Jeremy Rose, 111); Steiners Baby Girl (Michael McCarthy, 109); Atelier (Edgar Prado, 119); Happily Unbridled (Pat Day, 112); Prized Stamp (Travis Dunkelberger, 113); Indy Glory (Ramon Dominguez, 112); and Netherland (Victor Espinoza, 114).

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