Dimitrova, Tates Creek are convincing at the distance

The prospective starting lineup for the Filly and Mare Turf became a little clearer after two of last weekend's Grade 1 stakes, the Flower Bowl and Yellow Ribbon. The field should come into even sharper focus by sundown on Sunday following the conclusion of the Group 1 Prix de l'Opera and Group 1 Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp and the Grade 2 WinStar Galaxy Stakes at Keeneland.

Dimitrova and Tates Creek stamped themselves among the early favorites for the Filly and Mare Turf with their victories in the Flower Bowl and Yellow Ribbon while Heat Haze and Musical Chimes earned their way into the Breeders' Cup by finishing third and second, respectively, in the Flower Bowl and Yellow Ribbon.

Dimitrova is now perfect in two tries at 10 furlongs having also won the American Oaks earlier this summer. Tates Creek left little doubt she could also handle the mile and a quarter distance of the Filly and Mare Turf after overcoming traffic trouble to defeat Musical Chimes in the Yellow Ribbon.

Both Tates Creek and Heat Haze are trained by Bobby Frankel.

The biggest question mark this weekend remains the status of Voodoo Dancer, who has not started since outgaming Heat Haze to win the Grade 1 Diana Handicap at Saratoga on July 26. Trainer Christophe Clement was forced to pass the Flower Bowl with the 5-year-old Voodoo Dancer after she contracted a sinus infection shortly after the Diana Handicap.

"She worked well on Tuesday, but I will see how she trains Thursday before making a final decision about whether to run her in the WinStar Galaxy," Clement said Wednesday. "If she runs, then Corey Nakatani will ride her. If not, I will just train her into the Filly and Mare. She is a very good horse and I have no problem training her up to the Breeders' Cup."

Among the others expected to start in the WinStar Galaxy are Clement's Volga along with Wonder Again, Bien Nicole, and Apasionata Sonata.

As of Wednesday, potential Filly and Mare participants Yesterday, Ana Marie, and Bright Sky were still under consideration for both the Arc and Prix de l'Opera. Their connections had until Thursday morning to make a final decision on where to run.

Yesterday, a Sadler's Wells filly trained by Aidan O'Brien, won the Group 1 Irish 1000 Guineas earlier this year and is coming off a narrow setback at the hands of the much-improved Mezzo Soprano in the Group 1 Prix Vermeille at Longchamp.

Ana Marie has not started since finishing second in the Group 1 Nassau Stakes at Goodwood on Aug. 2 while Bright Sky is the defending champion in the mile and a quarter Prix de l'Opera.

Godolphin Stable officially announced earlier this week that Mezzo Soprano will be pointed for the Filly and Mare Turf.

Mezzo Soprano, a half sister to Singspiel, arrived in New York from England on Wednesday and will be sent to trainer Tom Albertrani's barn at Belmont Park once clearing quarantine to being final preparations for the Breeders' Cup.