Off her debut, 'Broadway' a big hit

ELMONT, N.Y. - In last year's Astoria, trainer Stan Hough saddled Feline Story to win the 2-year-old filly stakes. Sunday at Belmont Park, Hough seeks a repeat with the promising Broadway Gold.

, who ran an exciting race to win her career debut by 11 lengths in May, makes her second start in the $100,000-added Astoria. Off that tremendous performance, Broadway Gold could be the favorite in the Astoria over the winner and runner-up of the Fashion Stakes, Chocolate Brown and Limited Entry. Lady Glade, Mint Landing, and Comacina also were entered in the 5 1/2-furlong race.

Hough, who also won the Astoria in 1986 (Tara Tower) and 1992 (Distinct Habit), trains Broadway Gold for Joyce Robsham, whose late husband, Einar, owned Feline Story.

Hough picked out Broadway Gold as a yearling at last year's September Keeneland sale. The Robshams paid $600,000 for Broadway Gold, a daughter of Seeking the Gold. Broadway Gold's dam, the stakes-placed Miss Doolittle, is a daughter of Eliza, the champion 2-year-old filly in 1992.

"I liked that she was by Seeking the Gold and her dam had speed and talent; it was a good balance," Hough said.

After Broadway Gold's maiden win on May 12, Hough opted to skip the Fashion on June 3 and point for the Astoria.

The speedy Chocolate Brown won her debut against colts by 5 3/4 lengths on April 8 at Aqueduct. In the Fashion, she quickly grabbed the lead and won by 1 3/4 lengths without serious urging from Javier Castellano.

"She is doing unbelievably; I couldn't be happier with how she is doing," said Jason Servis, Chocolate Brown's trainer.

Chocolate Brown does not have a recorded work since the Fashion. Servis said she went an easy half-mile, along the lines of an open gallop.

Chocolate Brown, with Castellano aboard, is the likely pacesetter from the rail.

After lunging at the start and breaking well behind the field, Limited Entry made up tons of ground to finish second in the Fashion.

Since the Fashion, Limited Entry has had several schooling sessions at the starting gate.

Rusty Arnold, Limited Entry's trainer, anticipates a smoother break for his filly in the Astoria.

"I don't think it will happen again,"Arnold said.