Streaking pair meet for first time in stakes

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - Bsharpsonata can run over just about anything. Game Face can just flat out run. Together the pair have accounted for five straight victories, including the first two graded stakes for 3-year-old fillies during the 2008 Gulfstream Park meet. Something will have to give when the two Grade 2 winners square off for the first time in Sunday's Grade 2, $150,000 Davona Dale Stakes.

While Bsharpsonata and Game Face have yet to meet, the one-mile Davona Dale will renew a couple of rivalries from earlier in the session. J Z Warrior and Informed Decision finished noses apart in that order under first-level allowance conditions on Feb. 2, although J Z Warrior was subsequently disqualified because jockey Kent Desormeaux inadvertently struck Informed Decision on the face during the stretch run of the race. American County and Robbie's Gal also will meet again after finishing first and second, respectively, in the Sunshine Millions Oaks.

Game Face and Bsharpsonata were expected to match strides in the seven-furlong Forward Gal on Feb. 9, but trainer Todd Pletcher had to hold Game Face out of the race after she missed several days of training due to a minor illness. Game Face had already demolished a strong field by seven widening lengths in the Grade 2 Old Hat going 6 1/2 furlongs earlier in the session.

"Missing the Forward Gal is not a problem," Pletcher said. "She's trained well and had some good, solid works coming up to this race. The extra time off will probably benefit her."

Pletcher also said stretching Game Face out to a mile does not concern him.

"The way she settled last time, I don't think a mile is any issue," he said.

Bsharpsonata has handled just about everything thrown her way. The versatile daughter of Pulpit has won four stakes - two on grass, one on a fast main track, and the Grade 2 Forward Gal going seven furlongs over a sloppy strip when she outgamed even-money Keep the Peace by a nose following an exciting stretch duel.

J Z Warrior overcame a slow start to apparently defeat Informed Decision in her 3-year-old debut only to lose that decision for "misuse of the whip." The outing was the first for J Z Warrior since she won her maiden by 10 lengths at Saratoga in late July.

American County has led throughout to win each of her last two starts, including the six-furlong Sunshine Million Oaks by 1 1/2 lengths over Robbie's Gal.