Zayat Stable’s High Again, passed on the far turn by even-money favorite Christmas Kid, found another gear in the stretch of Saturday’s $150,000 Bonnie Miss Stakes (gr. II) at Gulfstream Park, edging away for a 1 1/2-length victory in the 1 1/8-mile test for 3-year-old fillies.
Saturday’s race reversed the result when the two met last out in the one-mile Davona Dale Stakes (gr. II) on Feb. 10 when High Again was beaten four lengths in her stakes debut. Fee Fi Fo Fum finished third in the Bonnie Miss in just her second start, beaten a length by Christmas Kid in the field of eight.
High Again is a chestnut daughter of High Yield--Miss Belle O (Olympia) purchased in Kentucky as a yearling for $140,000. Four Quarters Corp. bred her. Trained by Bill Mott, she was winning for the third time in seven career starts, doubling her earnings to $179,350. The winner was timed in 1:50 4/5 over the fast track.
“We learn a little bit every time with this filly," Mott said. "I was a little concerned with the way Christmas Kid went by her on the turn, but it was encouraging with the way she got going again and went after it. It looked today like she was really suited to the 1 1/8th distance.
"Way back here in the back of my head, I’ve been thinking about (a race like the Kentucky Oaks or Ashland Stakes), but they have to show you a race like this before you get serious about it. I think she earned her way into that kind of a race now.”
Ridden by Cornelio Velasquez, High Again raced in second as Lisa M carved fractions of :23 2/5, :47 4/5 and 1:12 1/5. The stalking Christmas Kid, moving three wide on the far turn, got the lead and held off High Again until the eighth pole. High Again, able to angle out for the stretch drive, was fully extended for the victory.
“I waited until the last minute," Velasquez said. "I had a lot of horse."
High Again paid $8.60, $3.40, and $2.60. Christmas Kid, ridden by Rene Douglas, returned $2.60 and $2.20. Fee Fi Fo Fum, Joe Bravo aboard, was $3.40 to show.
Fee Fi Fo Fum ran up on the heels of Lisa M on the backstretch and closed mildly to get third.
It was nearly four lengths back to Swift Temper, followed by Lost Etiquette, Lisa M, Miss Tizzynow, and Naseem.
(Chart, Equibase)
High Again wins the Bonnie Miss Stakes at Gulfstream Park.
