Filly Look Quickly the one to beat against males in Asparagus

Fillies challenging males in stakes company is not rare, but it is notable, especially when the filly arguably is the one to beat.

That will be the case Saturday in the $50,000-added Asparagus Stakes at the San Joaquin County Fair in Stockton, Calif., where Look Quickly will challenge eight other 3-year-olds in a six-furlong sprint.

Look Quickly has beaten males before, scoring the most impressive victory of her 2-year-old campaign with a five-length win over males. She also won a pair of stakes against her own sex last year. Females often are more competitive against males early in their careers before the males fully develop.

Sidelined for nine months by leg problems, Look Quickly returned to racing Aug. 29, when she was the even-money favorite against older fillies and mares at Golden Gate Fields. She ran second to the talented Rathmoon but has two solid half-mile works since, including a 46.60-second, best-of-42 bullet last Saturday.

Although she is the lone stakes winner in the field, Look Quickly is facing a contentious field, including Southern California invader Final Step, coming off two strong efforts at Del Mar; Adriatic Son, making his first start in two months after a dominating win at Santa Rosa; and Maximum Maximum and Hypnatique, both of whom are at the top of their games.

Key contenders

Look Quickly (Last 3 Beyers: 71-75-80)

* She wound up on the lead, where comebackers don’t want to be at Golden Gate Fields, and tired late. Still, it was a creditable race against older, as she lost to a track specialist.

* Improved last year in her second start on dirt at Pleasanton and should improve on dirt here.

Final Step (Last 3 Beyers: 90-84-14)

* Stopped badly in his comeback but has run well since – both on turf and the main track – with Beyers far superior to any of his rivals here. Has good speed and carries it well.

* This son of a millionaire was purchased for $135,000 last year and is living up to expectations heading into his stakes debut.

* Note that the one who beat him in his debut last year subsequently lost to Look Quickly.

Adriatic Son (Last 3 Beyers: 80-N/A-75)

* Has a solid work tab for his first start in two months and is coming off a strong performance on dirt at Santa Rosa.

* A five-furlong bullet work last Saturday suggests he’s cranked up, but he may not get the lead here, and both career wins have come in wire-to-wire fashion.

* Has finished on the board in 4 of 8 career races and is on a definite uptick.