Ms Brookski unexpected star of the Davona Dale Stakes

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - Ms Brookski burst out of the shadows of Calder Racecourse and into the national spotlight with an impressive three and three quarter length victory over Colonial Glitter in Sunday's $100,000 Davona Dale Stakes at Gulfstream Park. Smok'n Frolic, the even money favorite in the Grade 2 event for 3-year-old fillies, finished a tiring seventh.

Ms Brookski was a two time stakes winner at Calder during her 2-year-old campaign but finished tenth and last making her first start away from her home grounds in the grassy Herecomesthebride Stakes.

But with regular rider Rosemary Homeister Jr. back in the saddle, Ms Brookski settled off the spirited pace duel between Colonial Glitter and French Satin then exploded once settling into the stretch to easily run down the leaders a sixteenth out to win going away.

Colonial Glitter held gamely to finish second a half length before an equally determined French Satin. Smok'n Frolic, making her first start since winning the Grade 2 Demoiselle Stakes on Nov. 24, raced within easy striking distance, took a run at the leaders after six furlongs but had nothing left down the stretch.

Ms Brookski paid $28.80 after running 1 1/16 miles in 1:45.14 seconds over a track upgraded from good to fast during the course of the day.

"I probably shouldn't have run her on the turf, especially after she drew the 12 post, but I needed to get a race under her," said Reed Combest who trains Ms. Brookski for his son Phil. "She's had trouble at the gate a couple of times and when she gets way out of it and can't see the front end she tends to lose interest. I was concerned at the three-eighths pole when she was in traffic but then the horses up front began to spread out and gave her a free path and she finished fantastic."

Combest said he'll nominate Ms Brookski for the Grade 2, $250,000 Bonnie Miss Stakes on March 15.

"The way she ran today I'd be crazy if I didn't run her back in it."

Homeister was away on vacation when Ms. Brookski ran in the Herecomesthebride after being her regular pilot in the filly's previous ten starts.

"I got on her before she ever started and I've got a good relationship with this filly," said Homeister. "She's a big, long striding filly and just loves two turns."

De Bertie, who only started in the $75,000 Allen E Paulson Division of the Georgia Stakes because the race was taken off the turf, rallied from last to win the richest of three events for the progeny of Georgia stallions decided on Sunday's program. She paid $4.60.

Smooth Lover($13.80) won the $60,000 Bonnie Heath Division while Cherokee Girl($3.60) proved a popular winner of the John A. Damico Division.