Extra yards a big plus for My List

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Trainer Nick Gonzalez had to go to his bench for Sunday's $125,000 My Dear Stakes at Woodbine when his young stable star Miss Willow came up with a shin problem.

Gonzalez entered My List in the five-furlong dash for 2-year-old fillies, even though she's a maiden. In her debut, My List was second to Miss Willow in a rapidly run race at 4 1/2-furlongs, earning a Beyer Speed Figure of 69. She returned to finish a closing fifth in another 4 1/2-furlong maiden special May 27.

Gonzalez said My List was sold to Tucci Stable just before her second start.

"She got caught out wide in that race, on a speed-favoring track," Gonzalez said. "She made up six or seven lengths in the stretch, and galloped out way in front."

Gonzalez said he believes My List will be more effective as the distances increase.

"She was at a big disadvantage running four and a half," Gonzalez said. "She just doesn't have the breakaway speed like Miss Willow has, but she was always catching Miss Willow when galloping out in their workouts."

Leading rider Emma Wilson retains the mount on My List.

Lottacosta, trained by John Ross for Jam Jar Racing Stable, could be the favorite in the My Dear.

Lottacosta made up some ground in the final sixteenth of her two-furlong debut to finish second. She led throughout her second outing at 4 1/2 furlongs, scoring by 2 1/4 lengths with a respectable Beyer Figure of 73.

"She's a very professional filly," Ross said. "She has a good mind, and I like the way she's been going forwardly. She's coming off a good win, and has a little confidence."

Ross said he paid $20,000 for Lottacosta after she was an $18,000 buy-back at the Fasig-Tipton October yearling sale.

"She's a nicely bred filly, by Cat Thief," Ross said. "She's medium-sized, and has some good hind quarters. She's got all you need in a racehorse."

Ray Sabourin inherits the mount on Lottacosta from Robert Landry, who will be riding Essential Edge in the Bison City Stakes at Fort Erie on Sunday.

Silky Smooth is debuting in the My Dear for trainer Mark Casse, who won the 2004 My Dear with first-time starter Quite a Ruckus.

* High Button Shoes should be the prohibitive favorite in Sunday's supporting feature, the $100,000 Sweet Briar Too, a seven-furlong stakes for fillies and mares. High Button Shoes is coming off a runner-up placing to Dubai Escapade in the Grade 2 Vagrancy Handicap at Belmont.