Just three foes for 'Kissed'

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Kissed by a Prince, who just missed upsetting the formidable One for Rose in her last start, appears to have found a good spot Monday in the $125,000 Classy 'n Smart Stakes at Woodbine.

The Classy n' Smart, a 1 1/16-mile race for Ontario-sired fillies and mares on the Grey Breeders' Cup undercard, attracted a field of just four.

"We would love to win this stakes," said Mike DePaulo, who trains the 5-year-old Kissed by a Prince for Heather Landymore. "It's the race we've been pointing for. It's the only Ontario-sired two-turn race for her all year."

Kissed by a Prince, under a strong ride from regular partner Dino Luciani, looked to be headed for victory after opening up a clear lead with a furlong to go in the Algoma, a 1 1/16-mile yearling sales stakes here Sept. 4.

But One for Rose, who is a strong candidate to record her third straight Sovereign Award title in the filly and mare division, managed to battle back desperately to score by a head.

"I think her last race was her best race," said DePaulo, while noting that Kissed by a Prince had earned her career-high Beyer Speed Figure in the 1 1/16-mile Eternal Search here two years ago. "I don't think she's lost a step, by any means."

DePaulo acknowledged that the Algoma was a very difficult race for Kissed by a Prince but said he believes she has had plenty of time to regroup.

"She's getting five weeks between races," said DePaulo, "and she has had two easy breezes."

Coastal Fortress comes into the Classy 'n Smart off her best career effort, a win over fellow 3-year-old fillies in the La Lorgnette over 1 1/16 miles here Sept. 24.

"Basically, she has just done really, really well since then," said Barbara Minshall, who trains Coastal Fortress for Minshall Farm. "I didn't have to do much with her. She's ready to go again."

Todd Kabel, who was reunited with Coastal Fortress for the first time since their success in the 1 1/16-mile South Ocean here last fall, has the return call.

The top money earner in the field is Spanish Decree, a 6-year-old who has banked $841,503 for her owner, trainer, and breeder Frank Huarte.

Spanish Decree put together back-to-back stakes wins this summer but is coming off a distant eighth-place finish in the Flaming Page over 1 1/2 miles of "good" turf.

Schooner Bay, who is in good form but is stepping up in company, completes the field.