Distance only question for Sherine

OZONE PARK, N.Y. - Though her breeding suggests that turf is what Sherine may be best suited for, trainer Tony Dutrow believes Sherine's future could be on the dirt. If her last race was any indication, Dutrow is right on.

Now the question is how far does Sherine want to run on the dirt? If the answer is at least 1o1/16 miles, then Sherine is the most likely winner of Sunday's $75,000 East View Stakes for New York-bred juvenile fillies at Aqueduct.

Sherine finished third in her career debut, a 5 1/2-furlong statebred maiden race in which she raced greenly. Dutrow breezed her on turf at Saratoga and liked what he saw in the morning. He loved what he saw on the afternoon of Aug. 5 when Sherine, who is out of a Red Ransom mare, won a statebred maiden turf affair by 6 1/2 lengths going 1 1/16 miles. After running third to Nownownow in the With Anticipation Stakes, Sherine finished fifth in the Miss Grillo at Belmont. Nownownow won the inaugural Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf at Monmouth Park.

Sherine really started training magnificently on the dirt in the fall, Dutrow said, and he asked owner Ahmed Zayat if he could run her once more on dirt. She rolled to an easy-as-she-pleased 11 1/4-length victory in a six-furlong allowance without breaking a sweat.

"If she'll go long that's real good because most 2-year-old fillies really don't want to go long," Dutrow said. "We're trying it on the inner track going long against New York-breds. I'm thinking this has a pretty good chance of working."

Meriwether Jessica, second in three consecutive stakes after a sharp debut win at Belmont, is the one to fear. After showing speed in two stakes when she broke from the rail, Meriwether Jessica relaxed nicely and ran a good second to Elusive Lady in the Grade 3 Tempted Stakes going a one-turn mile here on Oct. 28.

With Alan Garcia opting to ride Sherine, Eibar Coa has picked up the mount on Meriwether Jessica, who will break from post 5. Sherine breaks from post 2.

If showers cause an off track, Deities Day would deserve strong consideration. She won her debut by 7o1/4 lengths over a muddy track, rallying from 17 lengths off the pace.