Connie Swingle no slam dunk in Generous Portion
The favorite is no cinch in the $100,000 Generous Portion Stakes on Friday at Del Mar, which is odd because her attributes are clear as day.
Connie Swingle trounced maidens last out, earned a 78 Beyer Speed Figure that is among the highest of the meet by a juvenile filly, drew outside for the six-furlong Generous Portion, and as a full sister to multiple stakes winner S Y Sky, the sky is the limit for Connie Swingle.
It’s obvious stuff. What’s not so obvious are attributes of Carmen Miranda and Big Novel. Both had tough trips last out and will enter the Generous Portion with an upset chance in a field of 12 California-bred juvenile fillies.
Phil D’Amato trains Connie Swingle, a Grazen filly owned and bred by Nick Alexander. When she crushed her second start by more than seven, the Del Mar Debutante was considered.
“Maybe for a second,” D’Amato said. “She needs a little more seasoning.”
From the outside post Friday under Geovanni Franco, Connie Swingle should get a trip similar to her maiden win.
“I like where we drew given all the speed in the race,” D’Amato said. “Just come with a big, wide run and hopefully get it done.”
D’Amato and Alexander also entered longshot Carmen Miranda, who D’Amato believes could surprise.
“I think you’re going to see a form reversal,” he said. “She’s trained amazing. I thought as much of her as I did Connie Swingle going into the last race.”
A debut winner who had worked heads-up with Connie Swingle, Carmen Miranda broke flat-footed in the CTBA Stakes, made an extended move, and finished fifth.
“Given the track profile at that time, you had zero chance to come from behind anyway,” D’Amato said.
Seven of the first 10 winners at 5 1/2 furlongs set the pace. One winner was disqualified.
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D’Amato said Carmen Miranda has undergone extra gate-schooling since having raced, and has trained exceptionally well over the track, including an impressive team work Saturday. Flavien Prat rides Carmen Miranda.
Although first-time starter Big Novel finished 7 1/2 lengths behind Connie Swingle in the maiden race, the runner-up effort by Big Novel was outstanding. Trainer John Sadler said Big Novel “was eliminated at the start, otherwise I thought she had a good chance to win.”
Sadler is right.
Big Novel steadied and broke last, made an extended run, and somehow finished second. How many lengths of trouble? Pick a number. Sadler expects an improved effort from Big Novel in the Generous Portion, won by maidens Miss Nicole in 2002, Sierra Sweetie in 2005, and Patriotic Diamond in 2015.
Big Novel “has trained over here, she’s had more works on this track, and I think she’s got quality,” Sadler said. She also switches riders. Sadler and Joe Bravo have emerged as one of summer’s most productive trainer-jockey combinations, 8 for 18 through Sunday.
Others in the Generous Portion include CTBA Stakes runner-up Drizella and maiden turf winner Zuboshi. The feature is race 6 of 8 on Friday. First post is 3:30 p.m. Pacific.