Unbeaten Maddalena Lines Up in Forward Gal

Undefeated Maddalena, a 7 1/4-length winner for trainer Todd Pletcher in her stakes debut a month ago, stands out in a field of seven entered for the Stonerside Forward Gal Stakes (gr. II) for 3-year-old fillies at Gulfstream Park Saturday.

The $425,000 Maryland-bred daughter of Good and Tough, owned by Derrick Smith and Michael Tabor, has three victories in her brief career, including the Old Hat (gr. III) at Gulfstream Feb. 5. It was the second win of the year for Maddalena, who returned from an 8 1/2-month layoff to win an allowance race by 6 3/4 lengths on Jan. 16.

Regular rider John Velazquez will be aboard the speedy Maddalena, who breaks from the rail in the seven-furlong Forward Gal.

Maddalena was headed for the first time in her career in the Old Hat, but she ran down the pacesetting Portsea at mid-turn and pulled off to win in a 6 1/2-furlong time of 1:16 1/5 as the odds-on favorite.

Florida-bred Hot Storm, who teamed with Jerry Bailey to post a 21-1 surprise in the Sunshine Million Oaks at Santa Anita Jan. 29, is reunited with Bailey for the Forward Gal. Dallas Stewart trains the Stormy Atlantic  filly, a winner of three races from seven starts. The Million Oaks was her first stakes victory.

$150,000 Stonerside Forward Gal Stakes (gr. II), 3-year-old fillies, 7 furlongs
PP. Horse, Weight, Jockey
1. Maddalena (MD), 119, John R. Velazquez
2. Bird Harbor (KY), 115, Pat Day
3. Dixie Gemstone (VA), 115, Clinton L. Potts
4. Leona's Knight (FL), 119, Carlos Olivero
5. Hot Storm (FL), 121, Jerry D. Bailey
6. Little Money Down (FL), 115, Jorge F. Chavez
7. Letgomyecho (KY), 115, Javier Castellano