My Gal Betty set for stakes debut in My Dear

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – My Gal Betty came to hand quickly for trainer Roger Attfield, and she will try to remain unbeaten in Saturday’s $100,000 My Dear Stakes, a 5 1/2-furlong dash for 2-year-old fillies at Woodbine.

My Gal Betty was bet down to the 3-2 second choice in a 4 1/2-furlong maiden special May 20. After stalking in second, she took control in the stretch and drew off for a four-length win in 52.38 seconds. Runner-up Syllable came right back to graduate.

A Hall of Famer, Attfield has won the My Dear three times, most recently with Caught Out in 2000.

“I really like the filly a whole lot, always have,” Attfield said. “She ran well in her first start. She’s trained well since then. I’ve been going easy with her in this [hot] weather. She’s coming into the race in good shape.”

A good field of eight was drawn for the My Dear, including the unbeaten Ontario-breds Sav and Tiz Breathtaking. It goes as the eighth of 11 races.

KEY CONTENDERS

My Gal Betty, by Point of Entry
Beyer: 62

◗ By a multiple Grade 1-winning turfer, the Kentucky-bred filly was a $120,000 yearling purchase by Bill Werner.

“I loved [Point of Entry],” Attfield said. “I knew him quite well. I never thought that he would get an early 2-year-old. This filly really surprised me, how quickly she’s come to hand. With her pedigree, she should run a distance of ground. It’s an exciting situation when they’ve also got that much speed.”

Sav, by Big Screen
Beyer: 62

◗ She ran a professional race at first asking June 3, scoring by 6 1/2 lengths and covering 4 1/2 furlongs in 52.34 seconds. Her freshman sire was a stakes winner in New York.

Tiz Breathtaking, by Tiznow
Beyer: 67

◗ She had worked nicely prior to her 4 1/2-furlong opener June 10. After breaking inward from the rail, she rallied from fourth to prevail in 52.39 seconds. Her trainer, Mike Doyle, has won the My Dear four times.

Entirely, by Point of Entry
Beyer: 62

◗ The Saratoga shipper overcame a tardy start to win her five-furlong bow on the grass at Gulfstream in quick time on June 1. Jonathan Thomas trains the Augustin Stable runner.

Golden Garter, by Goldencents
Beyers: 59-46

◗ The Gail Cox charge faded to third behind My Gal Betty and Syllable in her first race. With the addition of Lasix second time out, she was a game second to Tiz Breathtaking after prevailing in a front-end battle.