At this point, On Parade needs a prep

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - On Parade would likely have been among the choices against Grade 2 company had trainer Shug McGaughey opted to run her in Saturday's Davona Dale Stakes. Instead she will be the favorite and horse to beat against preliminary allowance competition in Wednesday's eighth race at Gulfstream Park.

On Parade, a homebred daughter of Storm Cat and 1995 Juvenile Fillies winner My Flag, proved right off the bat she was of stakes caliber when she rallied from far back over a speed-favoring track to win her debut by 4 1/2 widening lengths. The performance was impressive enough for McGaughey to wheel her back against stakes company in the Grade 3 Valley Stream, where she had the misfortune of catching the speedy duo of Forest Heiress and A New Twist, both of whom were already graded sprint winners.

With a pedigree that screams distance, On Parade finally got a chance to stretch out in her 3-year-old debut only to have the misfortune of getting carried extremely wide off the final bend while attempting to commence a rally. The loss of ground was enough to cost On Parade the victory as she was unable to recover in time to run down the rail-skimming winner Miu Miu.

"I could have run her in the Davona Dale but I thought it would be best to give her another allowance race for the experience," said McGaughey, who trains On Parade for owner-breeder Ogden Phipps. "If she runs well then we'll consider bringing her back in the Bonnie Miss."

The Grade 2, $250,000 Bonnie Miss, the premier event for 3-year-old fillies at the meet, will be run on March 15.

Jerry Bailey again rides On Parade, who will also be equipped with blinkers for the first time on Wednesday.

While On Parade's competition will be decidedly easier than the horses pointing for the Davona Dale the race is anything but a walkover with the equally promising Miss Halory also in the lineup.

Miss Halory is also impeccably bred. She is a half-sister to Halory Hunter by Mr. Prospector. Miss Halory was somewhat disappointing in her first two starts but finally ran to her bloodlines when stretching out for the first time to dominate maiden special weight company by 10 here on Jan. 27. Blessed with perhaps a better turn of speed than On Parade, she is capable of springing the mild upset, especially if allowed to relax on the lead as she did in her maiden win.

Ashlee's Royal, a troubled sixth in the Herecomesthebride Stakes on grass earlier this month, heads the remainder of the competition. which also includes Hot As a Pistol, Twilight Ride, Keys to the Heart, and Sultry Fluff.

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