'Princess' will feel some heat

MIAMI - Dakota Light has finished behind Pampered Princess each of the last three times they have met. So why should the outcome of Monday's $40,000 Boots 'n Jackie Stakes prove any different?

Supporters of the stretch-running Dakota Light will be hoping Pampered Princess gets involved in the same type of pace battle that doomed her to a fifth-place finish as the even-money favorite 17 days earlier in the Cut the Charm Stakes. Help in that regard could come from several sources, including Doc's Doll, Firm Reality, or Romanesque.

Pampered Princess has withstood early pace pressure and beaten Dakota Light in the past, including a 4 1/4-length victory when the pair traveled to Tampa Bay Downs for the Wayward Lass Stakes this winter. Dakota Light found herself in early trouble on that occasion and is also much fonder of the Calder strip, having won three races, including the Snazzle Dazzle Stakes by six lengths, here in 2003.

Despite her poor showing in the Cut the Charm, Pampered Princess will likely be the solid favorite once again in the Boots 'n Jackie, with trainer Marty Wolfson retaining the services of leading rider Eddie Castro for the race.

Trainer David Brownlee, on the other hand, will try Omar Klinger aboard Dakota Light for the first time on Monday.

Sierra Lady, Never Fail, Sniffles and Gentille Alouette round out the lineup.

Special Report in another battle

Special Report is not only a much improved filly, she is also proving to be a pretty game one too. A 3-year-old daughter of Notebook, she successfully withstood a stretchlong battle for the second race in a row when she outdueled Alarkandadove and American Miss to post a nose victory in Friday's Castlebrook Stakes. Three weeks earlier, Special Report proved just as gritty, outfinishing Cute Connie and Tiz a Dancer to win the Lenta Stakes.

Special Report is trained by Eddie Plesa Jr. for the Centaur Farms Inc.

Plesa looks well stocked with young horses this season. Earlier in the session, Plesa sent out Vinotech to a maiden victory. On Saturday he unleashed an even more impressive juvenile, saddling B.B. Best to a one-sided 14 3/4-length victory over six overmatched rivals.

B.B. Best ran five furlongs in 59.37 seconds under jockey Manny Aguilar.