Canada-based Palladio live vs. statebreds

MIAMI - The $200,000 Carl G. Rose Classic, like the seven other stakes on Saturday's Florida Million Day program at Calder, is a showcase for Florida-breds. But it may be an invader from Canada, the Grade 2 stakes winner Palladio, who is the one to beat when a field of 10 goes in the 1 1/8-mile race.

The Carl G. Rose, along with its filly counterpart, the $200,000 Elmer Heubeck Distaff Handicap, highlight the fourth annual Florida Million card. It is also the final leg in an all-stakes pick-four wager, which also includes the Heubeck, the $150,000 Jack Dudley Sprint Handicap, and the $150,000 Bonnie Heath Turf Cup.

, 3, is a Florida-bred but has been stabled at Woodbine near Toronto with trainer Roger Attfield. His most noteworthy accomplishment this year was a one-length victory over Magna Graduate in the Grade 2 Ohio Derby. Palladio also won Woodbine's Victoria Park Stakes and the Ontario Derby there. All three of those wins came at the 1 1/8-mile distance of the Carl G. Rose.

Palladio will carry 116 pounds in the Carl G. Rose, including regular rider Richard Dos Ramos.

Another 3-year-old, , is strictly the one to fear. Third earlier this season in both the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth and Grade 1 Florida Derby, B. B. Best is coming off a much-needed start when beaten a neck by Supervisor after an eventful trip in the Grade 3 Spend a Buck Handicap here on Oct. 15 - his first start since April 30.

"I still don't know what happened to him in the stretch last time, it looked like he lost his action briefly, but I do know he needed the race, and he's done great ever since," said trainer Eddie Plesa Jr.

B. B. Best has never won a race at 1 1/8 miles, but that does not concern Plesa.

"He was third going a mile and one-eighth in both the Fountain of Youth and Florida Derby, and I think he'll handle the distance with little problem Saturday," he said.

rallied from last to win the Spend a Buck, the first graded win for the 5-year-old son of Skip Trial in 40 career starts. Whos Crying Now hung a bit in the final stages to finish fourth as the highweight in the Spend a Buck, but continues to hold his form well over the local main track.

Rounding out the field are Kentucky invader Summer Book, Hear No Evil, Dazzling Dr. Cevin, Dream On Dream On, Cervelo, and Bob's Proud Moment.