Speed duel looms in Anka Germania

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Something may have to give when She’s Spooky and Lilbourne Eliza meet in Saturday’s $75,000 Anka Germania at Gulfstream Park.

Both She’s Spooky and Lilbourne Eliza have always done their best when on the lead, and the two speedsters could be destined for a duel in the 1 1/16-mile Anka Germania.

She’s Spooky rarely has been outrun to the lead in her 14 starts, three of which ended in gate-to-wire victories. Her last triumph came in a mid-level optional-claiming test at Gulfstream on Jan. 24. Three weeks earlier, She’s Spooky gave the odds-on Tapicat all she could handle before succumbing to finish a game second in the Voodoo Dancer. Those two races were at 7 1/2 furlongs, although She’s Spooky has posted two of her four wins at 1 1/16 miles.

She’s Spooky has not started since finishing third after showing the way into the stretch of a high-priced optional claimer at a mile nearly 10 weeks earlier.

“She ran hard all winter, so we gave her a break, but she’s coming into this race probably the best she’s ever been,” trainer Alan Benning said. “She’s jumping out of her skin.”

Lilbourne Eliza will make her first start since being transferred to trainer Marty Wolfson’s barn following a wire-to-wire victory in an entry-level optional claimer at Santa Anita on May 2. Wolfson has posted a sensational 30 percent win rate with new acquisitions over the last couple of seasons, and Lilbourne Eliza looks poised for another big effort off a pair of very impressive main-track works at Gulfstream – if she is able to avoid an early duel with She’s Spooky.

An honest pace would play right into the hands of Glamour N Glory, who rallied from mid-pack to an impressive optional-claiming tally in her last start. The 90 Beyer Speed Figure she posted that day was a career best, and the best last race number posted by any member of the Anka Germania lineup.

Glamour N Glory is one of two horses trainer David Fawkes entered in the Anka Germania, along with Adriani. Wolfson has a trio of fillies entered, with Lilbourne Eliza joined by stablemates E B Ryder and Magical Steps.

The remainder of the field includes Tacones, Flower Mart, and Sheer Drama. Sonja’s Angel is entered for the main track only.