Domino Vitali the one to beat in featured allowance
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HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – The lightly raced but extremely promising Domino Vitali figures to go postward as a heavy favorite to defeat five rivals in Friday’s $86,000 headliner, a one-mile test for older fillies and mares on the main track.
Domino Vitali, a $600,000 2-year-old purchase at the 2024 OBS March sale, was an instant success when finally launching her career last fall at Tampa Bay Downs. By Uncle Mo, the filly ran to her 4-5 backing by registering a one-sided, six-length maiden special weight victory going 6 1/2 furlongs.
She made her local debut six weeks later and was even more impressive in defeat, finishing second to the 9-5 favorite and more experienced Contrary when run down near the wire after cruising to a seemingly comfortable advantage turning into the stretch. Trained by Jorge Delgado for AMO Racing USA, Domino Vitali earned an 84 Beyer Speed Figure for that outing, easily the top number posted by any member of Friday’s lineup.
Blueberry Hill and Heartbeat appear to have the best chances of upsetting the heavy favorite.
Blueberry Hill was a very impressive debut winner herself, registering a 5 3/4-length, gate-to-wire victory here a little more than a year ago. But after disappointing badly as the public’s choice in a pair of subsequent allowances, she was sidelined for nearly nine months before rebounding with another big effort, finishing second behind the much-improved Her Town in a seven-furlong allowance dash Jan. 18.
Heartbeat will be coming off an extended layoff of her own Friday. She’ll make her first start since proving a game and popular winner of a restricted maiden special weight race decided over a muddy strip last June at Churchill Downs.
Quinn’s Promise, Gullfaxi, and Domino Vitali’s uncoupled mate, Lady Vintage, a decided outsider in this spot, complete the lineup.
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