Miss Jeanne Cat tough off winning debut

SAN MATEO, Calif. - Miss Jeanne Cat, who impressively won her only start, looks tough to beat when she meets six other 2-year-old fillies in the $50,000 Time to Leave Stakes at five furlongs at Bay Meadows Saturday.

Miss Jeanne Cat, a daughter of Tabasco Cat, was a $160,000 purchase by trainer Jeff Bonde at a Florida 2-year-old sale in February. She did everything right in her only start, at Bay Meadows on May 9, dueling inside of her stablemate Erica's Smile, then pulling away in the stretch to win by 1 1/2 lengths. Erica's Smile, who was the 3-5 favorite off a second in her only prior start, finished second by 4 1/2 lengths. She then won her next start easily.

The main threat to the top choice is probably the Southern California invader You're on Your Own, who won her only start, a $40,000 maiden claiming race at Hollywood Park May 24. She was claimed by trainer Nick Canani.

A California-bred daughter of Candi's Gold, You're on Your Own won by only a half-length, but she did it gamely, dueling for the lead all the way. The runner-up, Casual Queen, was a first-time starter who was bet down to 2-1 favoritism, and she finished 3 1/2 lengths in front of the third horse.

Another who must be considered is Fabulous Gamble, from the Jerry Dutton stable. Fabulous Gamble finished fourth in the Nursery Stakes at Hollywood Park May 19 and, with four starts, has an experience edge over the top two choices.

o Imperial Measure, who won the Round Table Handicap at Bay Meadows May 13 and had been expected to start in Sunday's $100,000 Grade 3 Ascot Handicap, suffered a minor injury and will miss the race, trainer Wallace Dollase said.

Imperial Measure's defection leaves a field of eight for the 1 1/16-mile turf race for 3-year-olds. Heading the expected starters are Hoovergetthekeys, Marine, and Sea to See.