One more prep for Too Scarlet

JAMAICA, N.Y. - At some point, perhaps as early as next month, Too Scarlet will be ready to take on open company in a graded stakes. Trainer Kristina Dupps didn't think the appropriate time was Saturday, which explains why she scratched Too Scarlet from the Grade 3 Ladies Handicap at Aqueduct.

Dupps appears to have a found a more reasonable spot for her New York-bred filly Thursday in a third-level allowance race over the inner track that could serve as a prep for the Grade 3, $100,000 Affectionately Handicap on Jan. 12.

In addition to the class of competition, Dupps felt the 10 furlongs of the Ladies was too far for Too Scarlet. Thursday's race, which drew a field of six, is run at 1 1/16 miles.

Too Scarlet, a daughter of Belmont Stakes winner Colonial Affair, had a five-race winning streak snapped on Dec. 2 when she finished a well-beaten second behind Lovely Amanda in the Montauk Handicap for New York- breds. In that race, Too Scarlet set slow fractions while being pressed by Along Came Mary, but was no match for Lovely Amanda in the stretch.

"I think she fell asleep a little bit in that race," Dupps said. "Richie Migliore slowed the pace down beautifully and she was well within herself beating the filly that was next to her. When Lovely Amanda blew by she wasn't prepared for that."

While Too Scarlet has won from on and off the pace, Dupps would prefer to have someone else set the pace on Thursday.

"She shows more life when she has something to run at," Dupps said.

Jean-Luc Samyn replaces Richard Migliore in the irons. Dupps said the main reason for the switch is because she is considering the Affectionately and thinks Migliore may already be committed in that spot.

Dupps should find out whether Too Scarlet belongs in the Affectionately on Thursday, because the filly faces two solid opponents.

It All Adds Up may fill the stakes void left by the soon-to-be-retired Strolling Belle for trainer John Kimmel. A lightly raced daughter of Our Emblem, It All Adds Up was impressive winning a second-level allowance race by 6 3/4 lengths on Dec. 6. She is 3-1-0 in four starts over the inner track. Aaron Gryder rides It All Adds Up, the 121-pound highweight.

Polish Hostess, a filly trained by Linda Rice, has won from five furlongs on turf to a mile and 70 yards on dirt. She is coming off a pair of second-place finishes in Maryland-bred stakes at Laurel Park. Polish Hostess was also entered in a six-furlong allowance race on Wednesday but figures to run here.

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