Deputy's Whirl tops Inaugural

Deputy's Whirl should rule a heavy favorite when she faces six rivals in the $10,000 Inaugural Stakes for 3-year-old fillies as the schedule of 12 stakes races this season in Columbus begins Friday night.

Deputy's Whirl looked like a winner turning for home in her last start, the Fantango Lady Stakes at Horsemen's Park on July 17, but was run down through the closing sixteenth of the one-mile race to finish second. She returns to six furlongs, which suits her best, and is the lone stakes winner in the field. Trained by Bob Rising, Deputy's Whirl has won three stakes this year, the Fonner Park Special, the Princess, and Breeders' Special Stakes at Lincoln. Apprentice Chris Fackler will be aboard.

General Assertion will invade from Canterbury Park for trainer Jordan Olesiak and could be a danger on the lead. She routed in her last three starts, all against $7,500 claiming company, and has not missed the board in her seven starts this year.

Senorita Conchita, trained by Herb Riecken, also made her last start at Horsemen's Park in the Fantango Lady. She was just off the pace for six furlongs but tired through the final quarter to finish a well-beaten fifth. She raised some eyebrows in her maiden win prior to that race when she easily handled a field of statebred fillies by a widening 17 lengths going six furlongs.

Sunday Dancer could pose the biggest upset threat to Deputy's Whirl for trainer Kelli Martinez. Also coming out of the Fantango Lady, Sunday Dancer had been second or third to Deputy's Whirl in her three starts before that race. Her best races have been from off the pace, and the added length of the stretch here could play to her advantage.