Just F Y I returns for showdown with Leslie's Rose in Davona Dale

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Just F Y I had already wrapped up a divisional title before Leslie’s Rose ever made it to the races.

Based on her first two efforts, however, Leslie’s Rose looms a major threat to Just F Y I when the undefeated 2-year-old filly champion of 2023 makes her seasonal debut in Saturday’s Grade 2, $200,000 Davona Dale Stakes at Gulfstream Park. The Davona Dale, a one-turn mile, offers its top five finishers qualifying points (50-25-15-10-5) to the May 3 Kentucky Oaks.

Leslie’s Rose, a daughter of Into Mischief, has won both of her starts for trainer Todd Pletcher and Mandy Pope’s Whisper Hill Farm. On Nov. 19, at Aqueduct, Leslie’s Rose galloped to a 9 1/4-length victory going 6 1/2 furlongs, under a vigorous hand ride by Irad Ortiz Jr. before being eased up late.

On Jan. 11, in a seven-furlong allowance at Gulfstream, Leslie’s Rose got tested by Gun Song, who fought with her into deep stretch before Leslie’s Rose prevailed by one length, the runner-up coming back to win her first-level allowance condition by 5 3/4 lengths here Feb. 9.

Tristan Barry, assistant to Pletcher, believes it was “a big plus” for Leslie’s Rose to have prevailed in a little bit of a fight in her last start.

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“Obviously, it’s a bigger task this time. We got to take on the champion, that’s always something you don’t know they’re ready to do until you look them in the eye and get it done,” Barry said Thursday. “But she couldn’t be doing any better, so we’ll take our shot.”

Leslie’s Rose will break from post 2 under Irad Ortiz Jr.

Just F Y I went 3 for 3 as a 2-year-old, winning her maiden at Saratoga, the Grade 1 Frizette at Aqueduct, and the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies at Santa Anita. Trainer Bill Mott targeted an early March return for Just F Y I and said other than missing a workout in late January due to a skin rash, things have gone according to plan for the daughter of Justify.

Though she won the Juvenile Fillies at 1 1/16 miles, Just F Y I won her first two starts around one turn, including the Grade 1 Frizette at a mile.

“She broke her maiden at one turn going short and she was pretty impressive at a mile,” Mott said.

Junior Alvarado rides Just F Y I from post 3.

Into Champagne, a daughter of Into Mischief, is another undefeated filly, having won her maiden at Ellis Park in June and then the Glitter Woman Stakes at Gulfstream in January. Trainer Ian Wilkes said Into Champagne chipped a knee after her debut win.

“If you think you’re good, you might as well run against the best,” Wilkes said. “She’s won over the track. We can run her here at a one-turn mile. It’s a nice stepping-stone. I got to find out how far my filly wants to run.”

Julien Leparoux rides Into Champagne from post 8.

Whocouldaskformo, a daughter of Uncle Mo trained by Shug McGaughey, comes in off a runner-up finish to Power Squeeze in the Suncoast Stakes at Tampa last out.

Fiona’s Magic had a two-race win streak snapped when finishing second, beaten two lengths, by R Harper Rose, in the Grade 3 Forward Gal going seven furlongs Feb. 3.

Miss Sayely, Queen’s Martini, and New Diamond complete the field.

The Davona Dale goes as race 9 on a 14-race card and is the first leg of the Rainbow 6, which consists of all graded stakes.

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