Similar pair of top fillies finally meet

OZONE PARK, N.Y. - Golden Dawn and Rite Moment have developed from nondescript fillies in the Midwest to Grade 2 winners on the East Coast. On Saturday, the two 4-year-olds meet for the first time in the Grade 2, $150,000 Bed o' Roses Handicap at Aqueduct.

After going winless in five starts in Kentucky, Golden Dawn, a daughter of Hennessy, has won 3 of 4 starts since being purchased privately by Marty Cunningham and turned over to trainer Mike Hushion. She was quite impressive winning the Grade 2 Barbara Fritchie Handicap at Laurel Park on Feb. 16 by six lengths.

Channing Hill, who has ridden Golden Dawn in her last four starts, said the Fritchie was her best race, considering that she made a big move along the rail.

"I feel that she's a filly that really doesn't want to be inside," Hill said. "She showed how much class she has and the type of racehorse she is by staying inside and actually coming up the fence and even drawing away from there."

Golden Dawn already owns a win over Aqueduct's main track, taking a six-furlong maiden race by 2 3/4 lengths last Nov. 4. Hill believes Golden Dawn may be even better going seven-eighths.

Golden Dawn will break from post 4 in the six-horse field.

Rite Moment went 1 for 6 racing mostly at Hawthorne last year. She was purchased privately by Steve Sigler's Winning Move Stable in December and turned over to Gary Contessa. Rite Moment has won 4 of 5 starts since, including the Grade 2 Distaff Handicap over the inner track on March 22. This will be her first start on the main track and at seven furlongs, and Contessa does believe there is a difference.

"Six on the inner you get plenty of speed and it sets up for a closer," Contessa said. "Seven on the outer, she's going to be right there."

Rajiv Maragh rides Rite Moment from post 3.

Lady Marlboro has not run since dead-heating for the win with Golden Velvet in the Grade 3 Sabin Handicap on Jan. 6. Trainer Jimmy Jerkens scratched Lady Marlboro out of the Hurricane Bertie Handicap on Feb. 17 because he felt the filly wasn't doing well and needed more time. Jerkens believes Lady Marlboro is doing better now.