Juv. Filly news: Owners have faith in 'Fox'

ELMONT, N.Y. - Some may call them crazy. But they really like this fox.

Debbie and Dennis Petrisak were thisclose to selling their undefeated New York-bred 2-year-old filly Shesastonecoldfox to Prestonwood Farm over the weekend. Instead of consummating the deal Monday with Art Preston - who flew to New York from Texas on Sunday - the Petrisaks were waiting for the Breeders' Cup offices to open to deliver personally their $10,000 pre-entry fee for the $1 million Juvenile Fillies on Oct. 27.

A disagreement over the deadline to complete the deal led to its collapse. But listening to the Petrisaks talk, one got the feeling they were always a little hesitant to sell.

"If we were in it for the money we would have gotten out of it a long time ago," said Dennis Petrisak, who also bred the filly with his wife. "This is what everyone hopes to attain. We're right on the cusp."

Shesastonecoldfox is 4 for 4, including a victory against colts in the New York Breeders' Futurity at Finger Lakes, a race the Petrisaks have thirsted to win since getting in the breeding business 10 years ago. Shesastonecoldfox came back to win the Joseph A Gimma against statebred fillies by 15 1/2 lengths at Belmont on Sept. 30.

"Everything seems to be falling in line," Petrisak said. "She's been here for a while, she's worked over the track, she proved she could run over the track. If the Breeders' Cup was in Churchill or Gulfstream, it's not something we'd even consider."

The Petrisaks do have a plan B. When the pre-entries come out Wednesday, if they don't believe their filly can match up with the rest of the field, Shesastonecoldfox could be entered in Sunday's $100,000 Maid of the Mist Stakes as part of this weekend's New York Showcase. But the Petrisaks have the Breeders' Cup as their first choice.

Shesastonecoldfox has yet to win beyond seven furlongs. The Petrisaks point out that the filly is by Foxhound, a full sister to Deerhound, who sired 1997 Juvenile Fillies winner Countess Diana.