The brilliant filly Careless Jewel, a romping winner of Saratoga's Alabama Stakes (gr. I) in her last start, heads the field for the $750,000 Fitz Dixon Cotillion Stakes (gr. II) at Philadelphia Park Oct. 3.
Owned by Donver Stables and trained by Josie Carroll, Careless Jewel is the 8-5 morning line choice against five other 3-year-old fillies in the 1 1/16-mile Cotillion, which will be contested on the main track. Edward Evans' Cat Moves, also a grade I winner, could present the biggest threat to the favorite if she can handle the two-turn distance.
Unraced as a 2-year-old, Careless Jewel caused a stir when she posted a 7 1/4-length win in the Delaware Oaks (gr. II) at Delaware Park in just her fourth start July 18. The Tapit filly thoroughly dominated her rivals in her next race, the Alabama on Aug. 22, drawing off by an electrifying 11 lengths. For the year, she has has won four of five times while banking nearly $600,000.
Robert Landry, her regular rider, makes the trip from Canada. Careless Jewel breaks from the rail under top weight of 124 pounds.
Cat Moves, who like the favorite did not race as a 2-year-old, won the six-furlong Prioress Stakes (gr. I) at Belmont Park in her stakes debut, overcoming an awkward start and a wide trip July 4 for trainer Anthony Dutrow. At that point, she was three-for-three in her career, but the perfect mark wouldn't last thanks to another poor break in Saratoga's seven-furlong Test Stakes (gr. I) Aug. 8, her most recent start. She would rally again, but this time she came up short while finishing third behind Flashing and Pretty Prolific.
Dutrow, who has tabbed Jeremy Rose to ride, will be starting the Tale of the Cat filly for the first time beyond seven furlongs. For that reason, she is 8-1 on the morning line. Dutrow won last year's Cotillion with Seattle Smooth.
Just Jenda, trained by Larry Jones for Cindy Jones, is the second choice at 2-1. The daughter of Menifee raced twice at Philly as a 2-year-old, winning her maiden debut and the Brandywine Stakes. As a 3-year-old, she has posted a pair of graded wins -- in Oaklawn Park's Honeybee (gr. III) in March and the Monmouth Oaks (gr. III) in her most recent try Aug. 15.
Just Jenda has won 6 of 10 lifetime with earnings of $414,000. Gabriel Saez has the ride.
Mary's Follies won the Boiling Springs Handicap (gr. III) at Monmouth Park June 27 for the Rick Dutrow barn. Bon Jovi Girl, Tim Ritchey's stakes-winning filly, would likely relish an "off" going. Key Lime Baby makes just her second stakes appearance for local trainer Dee Curry.
$750,000 Fitz Dixon Cotillion Stakes (gr. II, Race 10, 4:16 p.m.), 3-Year-Old Fillies, 1 1/16 Miles
PP. Horse, Jockey, Weight, Trainer, ML Odds
1. Careless Jewel (KY), R C Landry, 124, J Carroll, 8/5
2. Cat Moves (VA). J Rose, 114, A W Dutrow, 8/1
3. Key Lime Baby (KY), J L Flores, 114, D Curry, 15/1
4. Just Jenda (KY), G Saez, 122, J L Jones, 2/1
5. Bon Jovi Girl (KY), A R Napravnik, 114, T F Ritchey, 9/2
6. Mary's Follies (KY), S Elliott, 122, R E Dutrow, Jr., 4/1
