Sweet Catomine May Finish Year in Starlet

Sweet Catomine, who wrapped up an apparent Eclipse Award with a resounding victory in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (gr. I) at Lone Star Park on Oct. 30, may try to add an exclamation point to a brilliant year with a final start in the Hollywood Starlet (gr. I) on Dec. 19.

Trainer Julio Canani and owner-breeder Marty Wygod opened the door to the possibility Thursday at Hollywood Park.

"This filly is unbelievable," said Canani of the strapping daughter of Storm Cat. "She's been back on the track galloping and always cleans her tub. I'd open a restaurant if everyone ate like her."

Canani expressed confidence that she would be ready for the 1 1/6-mile Starlet. Wygod only questioned whether the filly could use a longer vacation before launching her 3-year-old campaign in 2005.

"The question is whether we give her a break here before we run against the boys," said Wygod, anticipating of a clash with colts at some point next spring. The tomboy filly won the Juvenile Fillies in a faster time than the Juvenile was run in Texas.

Sweet Catomine won the Del Mar Debutante (gr. I) and Oak Leaf Stakes (gr. II) before overcoming trouble and scoring a 3 3/4-length victory in the Juvenile Fillies.

"She's so good, different than anything I've ever had," said the veteran owner-breeder Wygod. "I just turned down an offer for her dam (Sweet Life) way above anything sold at the Keeneland sale last week."

Wygod said he also owns a yearling half sister to Sweet Catomine by Giant's Causeway and that Sweet Life is back in foal to Storm Cat.