Stall anticipating Bold Answer will run to her looks

NEW ORLEANS - Al Stall Jr. said Bold Answer very much reminds him of a mare he trained just a few years ago, which, said Stall, "is a good thing."

Bold Answer, who is scheduled to face nine other filly and mare turf runners in Monday's $36,000 allowance feature at Fair Grounds, reminds Stall of Formal Tango, who won several grass stakes and over $400,000. "They look and act so much alike, it's amazing," said Stall, noting that both are by the prolific turf sire, Dynaformer. "I hope this filly has the same kind of heart."

Bold Answer, now 4, was good enough to win $162,193 last year when trained by Mike Stidham. Owned by Linda Neece, Bold Answer won the Appalachian Stakes at Keeneland in April before losing three straight times and then going on the shelf.

Stall said he has had Bold Answer for just over 60 days. "Hopefully she'll run better on the turf than she trains on the dirt," he said. "She's okay on dirt, but obviously her strength is the grass."

If Bold Answer, to be ridden by Robby Albarado, fires her best shot off the bench, then she should be able to go through the three-other-than condition that governs the turf feature. If not, then throw this one wide open, with Tabianka, Rosthern, and Mysia Jo ranking among the top threats.

One race earlier, trainer Steve Asmussen will send out Windward Passage in an entry level allowance race worth $32,000. Windward Passage was impressive in winning a maiden race for Team Valor at Churchill Downs in November.

* Asmussen and his juggernaut stable continue to dominate here. Asmussen sent out three winners on the Friday card, extending his lead over Tom Amoss atop the trainer standings. The winners were Ugottaseethisplace ($9.20) in the first, Watery Wager ($6.20) in the fourth, and Guernica ($6) in the eighth.

* Features here next weekend are Saturday's $75,000 Pan Zareta Handicap for fillies and mares at six furlongs, and Sunday's $125,000 Whirlaway Handicap for older horses at 1 1/16 miles.

* Daring Bid ($7.80) ended a frustrating series of races by narrowly holding off Bubba's Colors in the $32,000 feature here Friday. Daring Bid, trained by Todd Pletcher, had finished second six times in his previous 14 starts, with only one win. The 4-year-old Daring Bid is out of Whiffling, making him a half-brother to 1993 Preakness winner Prairie Bayou.