Golden Isles lures field of eight 2-year-old fillies

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – The first 2-year-old stakes of the young season, the $75,000 Golden Isles, is on tap Friday with eight juvenile fillies set to go 5 1/2 furlongs in what could serve as a prep for the opening leg of the Florida Sire Series, the $100,000 Desert Vixen on Aug. 3.

There are three undefeated fillies in the field, two of them trained by Kathleen O’Connell – Solid as a Rock and Lenzi’s Lucky Lady.

Solid as a Rock showed big speed opening a comfortable lead right off the bat under jockey Edgard Zayas before cruising to a three-length victory going 4 1/2 furlongs over a good track May 2. The Stonehedge homebred is from the first crop of Khozan, who has been an instant success as a sire this spring.

“She’s just been awesome all along,” O’Connell said of Solid as a Rock. “She’s the complete deal. Has a lot of natural talent and just oozes with class.”

Lenzi’s Lucky Lady withstood an early pace duel before registering a half-length decision debuting against statebred competition June 6, earning a 65 Beyer Speed Figure in the five-furlong dash.

“She’s also very talented but still learning,” O’Connell said when asked about Lenzi’s Lucky Lady, a daughter of With Distinction and yet another Stonehedge homebred.

O’Connell said although both her fillies are blessed with speed, she’ll let the riders decide what strategy to use.

“It will all depend on the break but I think both fillies can rate if necessary,” said O’Connell. “I’ll just let the riders use their best judgment.”

Zayas will be back aboard Solid as a Rock, while Jaime Rendon has a return call on Lenzi’s Lucky Lady.

Raven also enters the race unbeaten, having run very gamely on the front end en route to a half-length decision launching her career under a $25,000 claiming tag.

Sonar and Carolyn’s Smile finished first and second in a five-furlong maiden special weight event on May 11, both finishing in front of next-out graduates Bay Society and Gladita. Bay Society was particularly impressive winning at Woodbine by 3 1/2 lengths with a 76 Beyer Speed Figure.