(from Belmont Park releases)
Adieu, who defeated the impressive Matron (gr. I) winner Folklore in Saratoga's Spinaway (gr. II), will be the one to beat in Belmont Park's $500,000 Frizette for 2-year-old fillies at one mile. Favored in her first three starts, bettors shunned Michael Tabor and Mrs. John Magnier's Adieu in the Aug. 26 Spinaway after she finished fourth at 6-5 in the Adirondack (gr. II) a month earlier. Those who kept their faith in Adieu were rewarded at 7-1 when she whipped Folklore by one length. Adieu is back on top of the division as a result, but her lead is tenuous because Folklore returned to romp by 14 lengths in the Matron in what was probably the most impressive performance by a 2-year-old filly this year.The Adirondack, when she was beaten by Folklore, is the lone defeat on Adieu's resume. Trainer Todd Pletcher said he is willing to draw a line through that race. He said it was Adieu's first time behind horses and taking dirt in her face."She got a bit of an education in the Adirondack," Pletcher said. "I also don't think she handled the surface that day. There was rain in the forecast that day, so the track was sealed with a slight rake on it. She labored the last part in the Adirondack over a dead track. The final time of 1:13 3/5 was an indication of how dead the track became. She turned it around when she got a true fast track in her next start."With rain in the forecast for Friday night into Saturday morning, there is a chance Saturday's races could be run over a wet track."With the rain, I'm not sure how she would handle a wet track," Pletcher said. "I think she'll be okay."Adieu drew the rail with John Velazquez aboard once again in the field of nine. All carry 120 pounds.The main threat to Adieu could be California invader Catch My Fancy, who has won both her starts, including a Del Mar maiden special weight and the Barretts Debutante, restricted to horses who went through a Barretts sale."The stakes race was a nice spot for her, and the timing was right," said trainer Craig Dollase.The Barretts Debutante was run at 6 ½ furlongs at Fairplex, a distance which is run around two turns over the bullring oval."She's stepping up in the Frizette and the only thing she's lacking is some seasoning," Dollase said. "Some of the other fillies have run a couple more times, so this will be a good test for her."Shipping from Monmouth is Keeneland Kat, who won the Sorority over Unobstructed View at the Jersey shore track and is unbeaten in two starts.$500,000 Frizette (gr. I, Race 8, 4:45 p.m.), 2-year-old fillies, 1 mile
PP. HORSE, TRAINER, JOCKEY
1. Adieu, Todd Pletcher, John Velazquez
2. Miss Norman, Sal Gonzalez, Mike Luzzi
3. Mykindasaint, D. Wayne Lukas, Jerry Bailey
4. Better Now, Mark Hennig, Gary Stevens
5. Philanthropy Lady, Richard Violette Jr., Eibar Coa
6. Heckuva Rush, Doug O'Neill, Pablo Fragoso
7. Catch My Fancy, Craig Dollase, Jose Santos
8. Along the Sea, Ralph Ziadie, Javier Castellano
9. Keeneland Kat, Kelly Breen, Joe Bravo
All carry 120 pounds.
Spinaway winner Adieu heads Frizette field.
NYRA/Adam Coglianese