Smok'n Frolic gets chance as headliner

OZONE PARK, N.Y. - Smok'n Frolic was no match for Allamerican Bertie when the two met in the Grade 2 Rampart Handicap at Gulfstream Park on March 1. The good news for Smok'n Frolic is that there are no Allamerican Berties in Sunday's $100,000-added Next Move Handicap at Aqueduct.

Smok'n Frolic, the 120-pound highweight, will be a deserving favorite over six other fillies and mares in the 1 1/8-mile Next Move.

One of the biggest wins of Smok'n Frolic's career took place at Aqueduct during her 2-year-old campaign in 2001. Smok'n Frolic scored a front-running victory in the

Grade 2 Demoiselle, run at the same distance as the Grade 3 Next Move. As a juvenile, Smok'n Frolic, who is owned by Dogwood Stable and trained by Todd Pletcher, also won the Grade 3 Tempted by 6 1/4 lengths and the Fashion Stakes at Belmont Park.

Smok'n Frolic's 3-year-old campaign was slow to get rolling because she got sick after finishing seventh in the Davona Dale at Gulfstream Park. She missed nearly five months because of an upper respiratory illness that could have been triggered by allergies. The Smoke Glacken filly recovered and ended the season on a high note by winning the Grade 2 Cotillion Handicap at Philadelphia Park last October.

This year, Smok'n Frolic was an easy winner of the Sunshine Millions Distaff at Santa Anita on Jan. 25 before finishing second to Allamerican Bertie in the Rampart. Allamerican Bertie, one of the top older fillies in the country, beat Smok'n Frolic by 7 3/4 lengths. Pletcher's filly was 6 1/4 lengths clear of the third-place finisher.

"Allamerican Bertie is an awfully good filly and was hard to beat that day," Pletcher said. "In that scenario when she can control the pace, she is tough. We tried to stay close to her, without compromising our filly."

Smok'n Frolic drew post 5 and will be ridden by John Velazquez, who rode Allamerican Bertie in the Rampart.

Ellie's Moment, next in the weights at 116 pounds, beat a weak field by 6 1/2 lengths in the Rare Treat on Feb. 19.

Trainer John Servis said he hasn't gotten to the bottom of Pupil's talent. Pupil, who won a Maryland stakes race in her last start Feb. 22, came within 2 1/4 lengths of Smok'n Frolic when she finished second in the Cotillion.

The ultra-consistent Run for Joy, who figures to flash early speed, steps up in class. Kiss a Miss, Ms. Rapunzel, and Database complete the field.

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