Scandalous Act won the $300,000 My Dear Girl Stakes in a romp Oct. 12 at Calder Casino & Race Course to complete her sweep of the female division of the Florida Stallion Stakes for owner/breeder Gilbert G. Campbell and trainer Kathleen O'Connell (VIDEO).
The day was not a complete success for Campbell and O'Connell, however, as their My Brown Eyed Guy failed to factor as the 11-10 pick while attempting to sweep of the FSS male division in the $300,000 In Reality Stakes one race after the My Dear Girl.
Front-running Scandalous Act, making her first start around two turns, completed the 1 1/16-mile distance in 1:48.23 on a fast track to post a 5 3/4-length win over Quinnkat. Eduardo Nunez was aboard the daughter of Act of Duty, who humbled her juvenile rivals in the three-race series for fillies by sires standing in Florida by a combined margin of 22 lengths.
"The greatest thing about her is she has such a good mind," said O'Connell, who won five of the six races in this year's FSS series. "She has exhibited staying power. She's just a lovely Thoroughbred to be around."
When asked about plans for what is to come for Scandalous Act, O'Connell hinted at the potential for a Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (gr. IT) appearance Nov. 2 at Santa Anita Park.
"We're California dreaming," she said. "We'll talk to the boss and go from there."
The In Reality, also for juveniles, went to stalking Best Plan Yet at odds 9-5. Ridden by Jeffrey Sanchez, the Hear No Evil colt spurted to the lead in the final turn and opened up in the stretch for a 5 3/4-length win for trainer Stanley Gold and owner/breeder Jacks or Better Farm (VIDEO).
Scandalous Act, the 1-2 favorite in the field of eight, was pressed on the front end by Golden Friendships after the first quarter mile. But Nunez was able to slow the pace to a crawl (:24.28, :49.51, 1:15.46) despite that before his charge took command in the stretch when roused. Scandalous Act drew off to a commanding advantage and won geared down late over her overmatched rivals.
A debut winner in May by 6 1/2 lengths, Scandalous Act has won four of five starts, all at Calder, while banking $328,040. The filly is out of the winning Langfuhr mare Seductive Lady.
Nunez was aboard Scandalous Act for her first FSS win in the Desert Vixen division in July, but due to injury, was unable to ride for her win in the second leg, the Susan's Girl division Aug. 24. That honor went to jockey Antonio Gallardo.
Champion Awesome Feather was the last filly to sweep the series in 2010 for Gold.
Under equal weights of 118 pounds, Scandalous Act paid $3, $2.10, and $2.10. She topped a $14.20 exacta with Quinnkat, one of three fillies in the eight-horse field trained by William Kaplan, who returned $5.60 and $2.80. It was 1 3/4 lengths to Kaplan-trained Holiday Magic, who paid $2.10 to show as the 2-1 second choice.
Fantastic Voyage, Old Wives Tale, Golden Friendships, Starship Sassy, and Solitary completed the order.
Best Plan Yet, coming off a one-length win over open company in the Foolish Pleasure Stakes Sept. 14 at one mile and 70 yards, was equally impressive in the In Reality. He was timed in 1:47.90 while winning easily over 32-1 shot Purchango.
"I really wanted to win it," said trainer Gold. "I thought it would be his best performance to date, and everything went well."
My Brown Eyed Guy, who defeated Best Plan Yet by 2 1/4 lengths in the Affirmed division of the FSS Aug. 24, gave way readily after pressing pacesetter Copa Del Rey into the far turn. He finished last in the field of nine.
Racing a close third as Copa Del Rey unfurled fractions of :23.89 and :48.41, Best Plan Yet drove through on the inside rounding the far turn for Sanchez and led by 2 1/2 lengths while completing six furlongs in 1:13.72. Purchango chased in vain through the stretch but was no match for the winner while 3 1/2 lengths clear of the show horse, We're All Set.
"I worked very hard with the horse," said Sanchez. "The last time he won he surprised me, and I said 'Okay, this time I will take him back, but not too far back.' I tried to put him behind the speed and when he was ready, let him go. He's unbelievable."
Best Plan Yet, out of the Bayou Hebert mare Bayou Plans, improved to three wins from six starts, all at Calder, with earnings of $300,960. He was also second in the first leg of the FSS, the Dr. Fager July 20.
Carrying 119 pounds, Best Plan Yet paid $5.60, $4, and $3.40. Purchango returned $20.40 and $17 and completed a $123.80 exacta. We're All Set paid $12.20 to show.
Completing the order of finish were Copa Del Rey, D N A Approved, Arangol, Worldly Vision, Rasta Rant, and My Brown Eyed Guy.
"He seems like he will be fine," said O'Connell afterward of My Brown Eyed Guy. "Maybe he will need the turf, or not to go as long."
