Juliet's Spirit has versatile style

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Juliet's Spirit will try to extend her unbeaten record to three races Saturday at Woodbine in the $150,000 Ontario Debutante Stakes, a six-furlong race for 2-year-old fillies.

Juliet's Spirit, trained by Steve Asmussen, came from off the pace to take her debut while receiving a 72 Beyer Speed Figure. She only got a 67 Beyer for her front-running victory in the five-furlong My Dear Stakes.

"I was impressed with both of her races," said jockey Jim McAleney. "For a first-time starter, she settled so well and was so comfortable in behind the speed in her first race, like a horse who'd run a hundred times.

"I expected her to follow suit in the other race. I thought there were a couple others who would be a lot quicker, yet she bounced out, showed speed, and was very comfortable. She did it as if it was her style, and I was able to give her a nice breather around the turn. She has such a good mind, and she's ready for whatever comes up."

Asmussen entered two others in the Debutante, A Day for Dancing and Fanci Candi.

A Day for Dancing led throughout most of a 4 1/2-furlong race in her second career start, winning with a 68 Beyer. She wound up second in the June 30 My Dear after a stalking trip.

Fanci Candi won a two-furlong race in her second start, before ending up fourth in the My Dear.

C Karma registered an 83 Beyer when taking her third start, in a five-furlong maiden special here Aug. 2.

"She was a little unlucky in her first start," said trainer Greg De Gannes. "She was down on the inside, and got into a speed duel. In her second race, she broke a bit slow, was hung wide the whole way, and then came with a heck of a run to just miss. I thought she was very impressive in her last race. She broke sharp, sat off the pace, and accelerated at the head of the lane."

De Gannes isn't thrilled about running C Karma back in two weeks, but he said he has few other options for her.

Two others in the field have earned an 80-plus Beyer: Kentucky shipper Petty Things and Florida import Back to Therapy.