Ol' Fashion Gal back on short rest in Jimmy Durante Stakes

DEL MAR, Calif. – Ol’ Fashion Gal ran so well in her first start on turf here that trainer Mark Casse has decided to wheel her right back just 16 days later for the Grade 3, $150,000 Jimmy Durante Stakes on Saturday.

The Durante, for 2-year-old fillies, was known as the Miesque when it was run at Hollywood Park.

Ol’ Fashion Gal was trying turf and two turns for the first time when facing maidens Nov. 13. Under Joe Talamo, she saved ground, accelerated when a hole opened between rivals in the stretch, and won going away by 1 1/4 lengths.

“I thought the margin of victory probably didn’t do her race justice,” Casse said Thursday. “She ran really well. She was stuck behind horses, got an opening, and spurted through.”

The Durante is at a flat mile on turf, the same distance and surface as the maiden win. But the competition is decidedly stronger. Eleven were entered, including Rainha Da Bateria, who had a wide trip in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf, and Bobbi Grace, third in the Surfer Girl at Santa Anita in her U.S. debut Oct. 5.

Casse also entered Conquest Artura, who finished sixth against maidens in her lone start.

“I feel like she could be any kind,” he said. “Her first race, nothing went right, but she only got beat by two lengths.”

Casse decided to bypass the race with Conquest Harlanate, who he said could instead go in the Grade 1 Starlet at Los Alamitos on dirt next month.

KEY CONTENDERS

Ol’ Fashion Gal (Beyers: 61-49)

Her maiden win was visually impressive, but the low speed figure could be a reason for caution.

Rainha Da Bateria (Last 3 Beyers: 79-76-65)

She had a dreadful trip in the Breeders’ Cup, getting caught wide the whole way. With a far more advantageous draw this time (post 2), she has a chance to get a far better trip.

If she runs back to her win in the Jessamine Stakes at Keeneland, she will be difficult to deny. Her stretch run that day was breathtaking.

Bobbi Grace (Last 3 Beyers: 75-N/A-N/A)

After running twice in her native Ireland, where she won once, she turned in an encouraging effort in her U.S. debut in the Surfer Girl, finishing behind the well-regarded turf fillies Her Emmynency and She’s Complete despite a wide trip.

Jaded Glory (Beyer: 58)

She was a winner of her lone start, a downhill turf sprint against maidens at Santa Anita.

Her rider that day, Mike Smith, wound up on Rainha Da Bateria, but she gets a fairly decent replacement in Gary Stevens.

Like Bobbi Grace, Jaded Glory is trained by Tom Proctor.