Nice try finding a softer spot

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - While Dynamite Miss has been quite impressive in her last two starts, trainer Frank Alexander knew she would have been overmatched against Gold Mover and Harmony Lodge in Sunday's Hurricane Bertie Stakes at Gulfstream Park.

Alexander may have found an easier spot for Dynamite Miss in Wednesday's $40,000 third-level allowance race at Gulfstream, but his filly stands to be tested nonetheless against returning stakes winners French Satin and Sixtyone Margaux.

Dynamite Miss, a 4-year-old daughter of Seeking the Gold, had won only one of her first 13 career starts. But when she came to south Florida this winter, Dynamite Miss lived up to her name, romping to a 10 1/2-length allowance score at Calder on Dec. 27 and a 5 3/4-length second-level allowance win on Feb. 16 here.

Alexander can't quite explain what has created this revival. Sometimes, it's better not to ask questions.

"I really don't know," Alexander said. "She's doing really good now, training very aggressive. It may have been that race at Calder where she ran and got her confidence up. She might be able to win a little stakes somewhere down the line."

Wednesday's race, run at six furlongs, resembles a little stakes. However, Dynamite Miss - who will break from post 4 under Eibar Coa - may have an edge on her stakes-winning rivals who are making 2003 debuts off long layoffs.

Sixtyone Margaux, who won the Serena's Song Stakes last June at Monmouth Park, makes her first start since a fifth-place finish in the Grade 2 Cotillion at Philadelphia Park on Oct. 5. Sixtyone Margaux, trained by Bill Mott, won her maiden by 8 1/2 lengths over this track as a first-time starter last March going six furlongs.

French Satin, who won the Grade 3 Florida Oaks last March at Tampa Bay Downs, makes her first start since finishing a well-beaten fourth to Take Charge Lady in the Grade 3 Dogwood Stakes at Churchill Downs in June. Breaking from post 2 under Rosemary Homeister, French Satin may be forced to use her speed early.

Another filly making her seasonal debut is School for Scandal, from the barn of Todd Pletcher. School for Scandal won her first three career starts - including a maiden-claiming race here last February - before hitting the wall against tougher foes. Pletcher is adept at bringing horses back from a layoff and School for Scandal has not been out since last August, though she could be compromised having drawn the rail.

Mist Ya and Rebecca's Charm complete the field.

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