French Park looking strong

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - After suffering her first defeat, by a head, seven weeks ago, French Park looks to jump-start her bid to make it to the Kentucky Oaks when she heads a seven-horse field entered in Sunday's Grade 2, $150,000 Bonnie Miss Stakes at Gulfstream Park.

The Bonnie Miss, contested at 1 1/8 miles, shares billing on the 11-race program with the Grade 2, $150,000 Forward Gal, run at seven furlongs. Both races are for 3-year-old fillies.

went 3 for 3 as a 2-year-old, including wins in the Pocahontas and Golden Rod stakes at Churchill Downs. In her 3-year-old debut, French Park was just outfinished by Baghdaria in the Grade 3 Silverbulletday at Louisiana Downs.

"She ran a huge race," trainer Helen Pitts said. "She ran off two works and couldn't have run any better."

French Park shows four solid works since the Silverbulletday, and with her off-the-pace style she figures to be able to get nine furlongs.

"I'm just trying to keep her on top of her game for May," Pitts said. "You know she's going to go out there and give you 100 percent. If she comes up short, she comes up short. But she's as good right now as I think she'll be."

French Park, the 122-pound highweight, will be reunited with jockey Mark Guidry and breaks from post 5.

comes off a dominating 14-length victory in the Grade 2 Davona Dale, run over a sloppy track here last month. Handicappers must decide whether she is capable of duplicating that effort on a dry, fast track. In her only fast-track start as a 2-year-old, Wait a While finished third, beaten 4 1/2 lengths by Wonder Lady Anne L, in the Demoiselle at Aqueduct.

"She's a filly that's shown quality without having to be on a sloppy track to do it," said Todd Pletcher, trainer of Wait a While. "Like everyone else, I'll be interested to see if she's able to do the same thing on a regular, fast track."

Trainer Richard Dutrow Jr. believes the wet track is what compromised Wonder Lady Anne L in the Davona Dale, her first start since upsetting Wait a While in the Demoiselle.

"I know she didn't like the track," Dutrow said. "I was happy with her race under the circumstances. If the track's fast and dry we'll get a better read on things."

, winner of the Tempted at Aqueduct, will make her 3-year-old debut in the Bonnie Miss. Teammate, Mia's Reflection, and Smart n Pretty complete the lineup.