Haven't seen best of Cloneylass heading into Miesque

With stakes runners on both coasts, trainer Rick Dutrow has decided to remain in New York for the holiday weekend, dispatching brother Chip to Hollywood Park, with, among others, Cloneylass, whose experience and promising United States debut make her a prominent contender in the Grade 3, $100,000 Miesque Stakes for 2-year-old fillies on Sunday.

After stuffing himself silly on Thursday night, Dutrow worked his top 2-year-old, Boys At Tosconova, at Aqueduct on Friday morning, then was to remain there for the Remsen and Demoiselle on Saturday. Come Sunday, all Dutrow will have to do is plop himself in front of the television and hope his brother, Cloneylass, and jockey Corey Nakatani can do the rest.

Cloneylass, who raced four times in her native Ireland, comes off a third-place finish in the Jessamine Stakes at Keeneland, her first start in this country and in three months. The Jessamine has proven productive. Kathmanblu, who won the race, came back to finish third, despite traffic trouble, in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf. Lauren Byrd, who finished second, won her next start.

“I was real happy with her race,” Dutrow said Friday morning from New York. “She hadn’t been training all that great, but we took a shot and put her on a plane. Coming out of that race, she has trained very well. Her last work at Aqueduct was the best breeze she’s had for us.”

Cloneylass was purchased in Ireland by co-owner Tony Grey, whom Dutrow said targeted the Miesque as a year-end goal.

Only six others entered the Miesque. No matter who wins, it will be that filly’s first stakes victory.

Holiday for Kitten, Neversaidiwassweet, and California Nectar appear to be the main threats to Cloneylass. All three race on or near the lead, and could compromise one another’s chances and set it up for the late-running Cloneylass.

Holiday for Kitten comes off a win against maidens at Churchill Downs on Oct. 31. It was her third start, but her first against fillies after facing males at Calder and Keeneland.

Neversaidiwassweet was a front-running winner against maidens at Hollywood Park’s Oak Tree meeting on Oct. 14.

California Nectar lost a heart-breaker when second in the California Cup Juvenile Fillies on Oct. 30 in her first try around two turns. All her previous races have been against California-breds. In the Miesque, she also will be racing on turf for the first time.

British invader Wave of Applause, making her first start in five months, runs well fresh.