Dubit a pleasant surprise

ELMONT, N.Y. - Steve Asmussen thought Dubit was a talented filly. He just didn't think she would prove him so right so soon.

But the filly has done little wrong in her first two starts and figures to go off a solid favorite in Sunday's $100,000 Astoria Stakes for 2-year-old fillies at Belmont Park. The Astoria, which shares billing with the Tremont for juvenile colts, drew a field of seven and will be run at 5 1/2 furlongs.

A daughter of E Dubai, Dubit finished second to her stablemate Sky Mom in a 4 1/2-furlong maiden race on the final day of the Keeneland spring meeting. Dubit came back to win a 5 1/2-furlong maiden at Churchill on June 10, a race in which she repelled two challenges in the stretch to win by three-quarters of a length.

"The filly's run very fast," Asmussen said. "She was second to a filly that's returned to win and run a nice race, and she came back and ran a very nice race winning at Churchill. I honestly have been surprised by how much she's shown early, given her pedigree and how she looks physically."

Dubit will break from post 4 under Garrett Gomez.

Todd Pletcher will keep his talented New York City Girl in the barn and instead run the duo of Bridal Song and Glacken's Gal, who both won their debuts.

In her debut here, Glacken's Gal chased the pace from the inside, took the lead while coming up along the inside, then drew clear in the stretch. The horse she beat, Blue Devil Bel, came back to win her next start here on Wednesday. John Velazquez will ride Glacken's Gal from post 7 on Sunday.

"This will be a testing ground to see how good she is," Pletcher said.

Bridal Song, a daughter of Vicar, overcame a slow start to get up in the final stride and win by a nose.

My Mammy, a 13-length debut winner at Delaware Park on June 11, will also get tested in this spot. A half-brother to Grade 1 winner Bandini, My Mammy ran 4 1/2 furlongs in 51.95 seconds at Delaware Park, missing the track record of 51.80 set by Erlton in 1998.

"The fact she ran in the slop, that might have made a little bit of a difference, but she should be competitive," said trainer Hamilton Smith. "I know Pletcher and those boys have the best, but if she runs her race they'll know she's there."

Edgar Prado will ride My Mammy from post 6.

Halycon, Pure and Simple, and Snow Storm Lady complete the field.