Fragrant Cloud rested, ready

ARCADIA, Calif. - After Fragrant Cloud finished a close second to Lady George in the California Cup Juvenile Fillies on Nov. 3, trainer Paco Gonzalez canceled plans to start her at the Hollywood Park fall meeting.

"She was tired in the test barn," Gonzalez said. "She was jumping from six furlongs to a mile and a sixteenth and she tried very hard. I jogged her for three weeks."

Gonzalez and owners Trudy McCaffery and John Toffan focused on the filly division of Friday's $150,000 California Breeders' Champion Stakes at Santa Anita. Run at seven furlongs for statebreds, the Champion Stakes drew 10 entrants, including Lady George, who won the Juvenile Fillies at 15-1.

Fragrant Cloud was a heavy favorite in the Juvenile Fillies and figures to be the public choice Friday, though probably not in the 3-5 range. Lady George, who returned Nov. 23 and ran sixth in the Grade 3 Miesque Stakes on turf at Hollywood Park, will attract betting support.

Other top contenders include Daddy's Gold, who was second in the Golden Ballet Stakes at Hollywood Park on Dec. 8; Icy Avenue and Super High, maiden winners at Hollywood Park; and Bigboystoy, who was stakes-placed at Bay Meadows.

A missing contender is Bella Bella Bella, who won the Golden Ballet Stakes at Hollywood Park earlier this month. She is being pointed for the $100,000 Santa Ysabel Stakes at 1 1/16 miles Jan. 6, according to her trainer, Jenine Sahadi.

Fragrant Cloud has speed, but is likely to play a stalker's role. Martial's Princess, third in the Golden Ballet, and the longshot Wicked Mood, should ensure a fast pace.

Gonzalez said that Fragrant Cloud is best suited to compete against California-breds at this point, but thinks she might improve.

"She'll be a useful filly, but you never know in the future," Gonzalez said. "I think going seven furlongs will be better. At least now she has more experience."

Bigboystoy finished second in the Bams Penny Stakes at Bay Meadows on Nov. 3, and later was acquired privately by trainer Jeff Bonde for JMJ Racing Stable.

A winner of three of four starts, she returned to win a one-mile allowance race at Golden Gate Fields on Nov. 25. For a filly who won an $8,000 claiming race for maidens on Sept. 27, Bigboystoy has come a long way in the last three months.

"I think this the acid test to see what we have," Bonde said.