Rodeo Licious takes Fashion Stakes

ELMONT, N.Y. - Rodeo Licious got the week off to a fast start for the New York breeding program, roaring out of the gate on top and cruising to a 1 1-2-length victory in the $80,000 Fashion Stakes for juvenile fillies at Belmont Park.

Renaissance Lady, a regally bred daughter of A.P. Indy, had to settle for second, eight lengths ahead of 7-10 favorite Bikini Wiggle. Barnsy and I'vegothemusicinme completed the order of finish.

``It's a New York-bred kind of a week coming up,' said jockey Richard Migliore, himself a New York-bred, who was along for the ride aboard Rodeo Licious.

Of course, Migliore was referring to Saturday's Belmont Stakes in which the New York-bred Funny Cide will try to become the 12th Triple Crown winner.

Rodeo Licious, a daughter of the New York stallion Rodeo, is a nervous filly, which is why she was excused from the post parade. Migliore said she was a bit nervous in the gate, but when the latch sprang she was immediately two lengths in front. Rodeo Licious set fractions of 21.88 seconds, 45.26 and covered the five furlongs in 58.19 seconds over a muddy track. She returned $16.20 to win.

``She left there like a scalded dog,' Migliore said. ``It was come and get me now. I wasn't going let anybody back in the game when they break like that.'

Rodeo Licious had been beaten 7 1-2 lengths by Bikni Wiggle in an April 30 maiden race at Aqueduct. Carl Deville, who trains Rodeo Licious for Our Blue Streaks Stable and Pre K Stable, said his filly had shipped twice in four days and also did not run on Lasix that day. She came back to in her maiden by 4 3-4 lengths while on Lasix on May 14.

Jerry Bailey, the jockey of Renaissance Lady, said his filly hopped out of the gate, but it may not have mattered. ``[Rodeo Licious] broke so fast she made us all look bad.'

John Velazquez, the jockey of Bikini Wiggle, said his filly ``was kind of spinning her wheels' over the muddy surface.