Livin Lovin has all the tools

OZONE PARK, N.Y. - From the same connections that brought you graded stakes-winning juvenile fillies Mani Bhavan and Sky Diva comes Livin Lovin, who looks well spotted in Sunday's Grade 3, $100,000 Tempted Stakes at Aqueduct.

Owner Jeff Puglisi and trainer Steve Klesaris have had tremendous success this year with Mani Bhavan, who won the Grade 2 Adirondack and Grade 1 Spinaway at Saratoga, and Sky Diva, who won the Grade 1 Frizette at Belmont before finishing third in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies. Puglisi bought half-interest in Livin Lovin from David Soblick after her first start.

Livin Lovin, a daughter of 2004 Belmont Stakes winner Birdstone, is 1 for 3. She won a one-mile maiden race at Delaware Park by eight lengths in her second start before finishing second, beaten a half-length, in the Grade 3 Mazarine over the synthetic surface at Woodbine on Oct. 5. She had the lead in midstretch that day only to be run down by Van Lear Rose, who finished sixth in the Juvenile Fillies.

Klesaris said Livin Lovin was stuck on the inside part of the Woodbine track that day, which Klesaris believes was not the best part of the track. Klesaris said Livin Lovin compares favorably with her two more accomplished stablemates.

"I think she's a quality filly in her own right," Klesaris said. "She's a big, rangy, scopy filly with a lot of power, and a good mind."

Livin Lovin, who breaks from post 4 under Ramon Dominguez, may have to run down Gemswick Park in the one-mile Tempted. A daughter of Speightstown, Gemswick Park flashed brilliant speed winning a six-furlong off-the-turf maiden race at Belmont on Sept. 14. She came back in the Grade 1 Frizette and set fast fractions before finishing third behind Sky Diva and Persistently.

"She's been a solid filly in all her races," trainer Tom Albertrani said. "We need to see if she'll nurse her speed along. She stayed on well in the Frizette so I think it's a good spot for her to come back in."

Albertrani will also saddle Morning Chatter, who finished second in her only start. She may benefit from the one-mile distance of the Tempted.

Obsequious won her debut going 5 1/2 furlongs at Saratoga but was no threat when a well-beaten fourth in the Grade 2 Matron at Belmont. Fools in Love, second in the Sorority and Maryland Million Lassie, and Pull Dancer, second to Gemswick Park and a maiden winner at Keeneland in her second start, complete the field.