SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - When Bobby Frankel reviews the eight races You has run since arriving in his barn, he points to last year's Grade 2 Adirondack at Saratoga as being her best.
All she's done since is win four Grade 1 races.
In last August's Adirondack, You chased the speedy Cashier's Dream for more than six furlongs before catching her in the final 50 yards to win by a neck. The final time of 1:15.16 for 6 1/2 furlongs was a stakes record.
"That was a great race," Frankel recalled Thursday morning. "I didn't think she was fit enough to run a race like that. Seeing the way she acts up here I can see why. She's a different filly up here."
If You can duplicate her Adirondack effort or even her performance in last month's Grade 1 Acorn, her six rivals will be running for second money in Saturday's Grade 1, $250,000 Test Stakes. The Test, run at seven furlongs, will be shown live on ESPN (5-6 p.m. Eastern), and shares billing with the $500,000 Diana Handicap.
You romped to a 7 1/4-length victory in the Grade 1 Acorn on June 7, setting a stakes record of 1:34.05 for the mile. Frankel is realistic in his assessment of that race.
"I know they ran fast, but the track was very fast," Frankel said. "She put away the speed and there was nothing else to challenge her."
Frankel was hoping for an outside post in the Test, but had to settle for post 2. The good news is You is outside of Carson Hollow, the undefeated New York-bred who comes off a powerful win in the Grade 1 Prioress last month.
Off that race, Frank Stronach purchased a 60-percent controlling interest in the filly, who remains trained by Richard Dutrow Jr. Having drawn the rail, John Velazquez will likely have to send Carson Hollow and will likely endure pace pressure from Short Note, who drew post 3.
Bold World could be the upsetter in the field. Bold World has won six stakes by a combined 43 lengths and is coming off a victory in the Grade 3 Azalea Breeders Cup Handicap at Calder on July 13. She displayed the ability to win from off the pace in the Grade 3 Azalea Breeders' Cup Handicap at Calder and will start from the advantageous outside post. Proper Gamble finished third behind Carson Hollow in the Prioress. Trainer Todd Pletcher thought there would be speed to challenge Carson Hollow in that race, and felt his filly was too far off the pace when the duel failed to develop.
Spring Meadow and Preferred Option complete the field.