Delaware Park: Disco Barbie steps up for Xtra Heat Stakes

Disco Barbie, who improved dramatically with the addition of Lasix, and Coastal Sunrise, perfect in two starts on dirt in Indiana, appear difficult to separate in Saturday’s $50,000 Xtra Heat Stakes, a six-furlong sprint for 2-year-old fillies at Delaware Park.

Disco Barbie, based at Parx Racing with trainer Tony Dutrow, saw her Beyer Speed Figure soar from 47 to 74 when she shipped to Delaware on Sept. 24 to win her maiden by a length. It was her second start, and first attempt racing with Lasix.

The runner-up from that race, Pow Wow Wow, returned to defeat maidens Oct. 15.

Over the past five years, Dutrow is 10 for 25 (40 percent) with 2-year-old last-out winners returning after a break of 31 to 60 days.

The only blemish on Coastal Sunrise’s record in three starts came when she flashed high speed and faded stretching out from five to six furlongs and switching from dirt to Tapeta at Presque Isle Downs. Back on dirt at Hoosier Park, Coastal Sunrise drew off by 10 lengths in a high-priced first-level optional claimer, earning a 71 Beyer.

A $125,000 purchase as a yearling at the Keeneland September sale, Coastal Sunrise is a half-sister to Wall Street Wonder, who won 6 of 21 starts and $289,141, including the Grade 3 Toboggan in 2010.

Coastal Sunrise’s trainer, Tom Amoss, shows a 9-for-15 record (60 percent) with 2-year-old last-out winners back in less than 30 days.

Among the rest of the eight-horse field, Ganesha stretches out slightly in distance after beginning her career with back-to-back wins going 5 1/2 furlongs at Canterbury and Delaware. She gets a rider switch to Ricardo Santana, who is winning at a 33 percent clip (13 for 39) with a $3.64 return on investment for trainer Mac Robertson at Delaware this season.

Doubled scored a 15-1 upset in the $100,000 Sorority at Monmouth Park two starts ago and would be dangerous if she runs in this spot. She is cross-entered in Saturday’s $150,000 Selima on turf at Laurel Park.