Finger Lakes: 'Marian' vulnerable

Based on Beyer Figures, Canadian shipper Blushing Marian is by far the fastest filly in the $50,000 Finger Lakes Juvenile Fillies.

Although Blushing Marian won her last start by 11 1/2 lengths and her 69 Beyer is more than 20 points better than the next-best figure among her nine rivals, there is reason to be cautious about taking a short price. Blushing Marian's big figure came over a wet, sealed track in maiden claiming company. She earned only a 15 Beyer in her career debut against straight maidens.

If Blushing Marian doesn't run back to her much-improved second start, the six-furlong Juvenile Fillies becomes a wide-open race. Four horses come out of maiden wins at Finger Lakes, all with Beyers within a narrow range of 47 to 42.

The filly who might have the best chance of upsetting Blushing Marian, however, is the maiden Bella Dorato. She has come from off the pace to finish second in each of her two starts, one at Saratoga and the other at Belmont.