Catalano weighing key factors for Dream of Anna

OLDSMAR, Fla. - Dreaming of Anna, the champion 2-year-old filly of 2006, is entered in Saturday's Grade 3, $150,000 Endeavour Stakes, but according to her trainer, Wayne Catalano, a number of factors will go into deciding whether she does, indeed, go to the gate in the 1 1/16-mile stakes.

Saturday's card is topped by the $200,000 Sam F. Davis Stakes for 3-year-olds and also includes the $75,000 Suncoast Stakes.

"We entered her, and we're going to take a look at the race, at the field, and also who we're going to be able to get to ride her before we make a final decision," Catalano said from his south Florida headquarters Thursday morning.

"We'd like to see how she handles the surface up there. She's been training good, we've worked her several times on the main track at Gulfstream, and she breezed on the turf course as well, but I'm going to see how big the field is and who I'm going to be able to get to ride her before we make a firm decision."

Undefeated in four starts as a juvenile, including a front-running win in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies at Churchill in 2006, Dreaming of Anna came back last season as a 3-year-old to take 3 of 7 starts, with all her wins coming on the turf.

After capturing the Double Delta at Arlington, Dreaming of Anna led throughout the Virginia Oaks. She then returned to Arlington to take the Grade 3 Pucker Up, again in front-running style. She closed out her 2007 campaign by leading to late stretch before settling for second in the Grade 1 Queen Elizabeth II Cup at Keeneland.

If she starts, Dreaming of Anna would face some formidable foes in Saturday's field of 11, including Meribel, who will make her seasonal debut for Christophe Clement after making her last five starts of 2007 in Grade 1 and Grade 2 company. Lear's Princess, winner of the Grade 1 Gazelle at Belmont on the main track and a two-time winner on the turf, is also entered.

Sunday Holiday heads Suncoast

In the $75,000 Suncoast at 1 1/16 miles on the main track, Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott will send out Sunday Holiday as the probable favorite.

Last year, Sunday Holiday finished third in the Grade 1 Frizette, third in the Grade 3 Tempted at Aqueduct, and fourth in the Grade 2 Golden Rod at Churchill.

Topping the challengers are My Baby Baby, who buried a field of maidens at Gulfstream Park in her second start, and Vaulcluse, who comes into the Suncoast undefeated in two starts and who will making her first start since December.