Tasha's Miracle facing a full Debutante

DEL MAR, Calif. - Tasha's Miracle has won two consecutive races in a convincing style, including the Grade 3 Sorrento Stakes last month, making her the top 2-year-old filly in California. But much to the surprise of her trainer, John Sadler, Tasha's Miracle has not scared away any rivals for Monday's $250,000 Del Mar Debutante over seven furlongs. Tasha's Miracle will be favored in the Grade 1 race, but must beat 13 others, all of whom are searching for their first graded stakes wins.

Sadler thinks Tasha's Miracle is a 2-year-old filly deserving of a start in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies at Monmouth Park in Oct. 27. He's not sure about her opponents.

"My feeling is that it's kind of on the other horses to step up," he said. "We've shown we're pretty good."

Tasha's Miracle won the Sorrento Stakes over 6 1/2 furlongs by 3 1/4 lengths. She disputed the lead, took over in early stretch and pulled clear. To win the Debutante, Sadler knows that Tasha's Miracle and jockey David Flores must be patient. Strategically, Tasha's Miracle probably cannot duplicate her maiden win at Hollywood Park on July 1 when she led throughout from the rail.

"When she drew the rail, she had to come out of there," he said. "The other day she was breezing. I think we'll come from off the pace."

Several other fillies are capable of threatening Tasha's Miracle, and possibly winning.

There are two other stakes winners in the field: Golden Noodle and Treadmill.

Golden Noodle won the six-furlong Landaluce Stakes in a 33-1 upset at Hollywood Park in June, but missed the Sorrento because of illness.

Treadmill, second in the Landaluce, returned to win the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association Stakes for statebreds on July 20. She seemed to find her best stride in deep stretch of the race, run over 5 1/2 furlongs.

Trainer Craig Dollase is less-than-overjoyed about the way Treadmill has trained over Del Mar's Polytrack synthetic surface and her draw, post 14.

"I'm not thrilled about the post, but I think it's better to be on the outside of the track," he said. "I don't know if she's taken to this track. I wouldn't say it's her favorite surface, but we can't run anywhere else."

On a brighter note, Dollase was encouraged by her six-furlong workout in 1:12.20 Aug. 27, the fastest of 10 recorded works at the distance. He envisions Treadmill stalking the pace on the backstretch.

"I think she can settle in and make a run," he said.

Six of the fillies won a maiden race in their last start: Comical Vacation, Ididntmeantoo, Izarra, Spring Awakening, Magic Myth, and Wild Baby Girl. Izarra won her debut, a six-furlong race against open company, by 3 3/4 lengths as a 16-1 outsider on July 29. Comical Vacation beat statebreds by 4 1/4 lengths on Aug. 6 in her second start.

Comical Vacation finished a troubled third in the CTBA Stakes in her debut, an indication of how highly regarded she is by trainer Jeff Mullins.

"She is a very intelligent filly," Mullins said. "I think the rider can do with her whatever he wants."

Trainer Christopher Paasch starts Magic Myth and Foxy Danseur. Magic Myth led throughout a maiden race over 5 1/2 furlongs on Aug. 5, pulling away late to win by 1 1/4 lengths under jockey Mike Smith.

"Mike said she acted like she was playing with them," Paasch said.

Foxy Danseur, one of three maidens in the Debutante, was third in the Sorrento, closing from fifth on the backstretch.

"I think she'll be better from off the pace," Paasch said. "I think I can win with one of them."

The other two maidens would be surprise winners. Sunday Geisha was second in a maiden race at Monmouth Park on Aug. 2 and has drawn the rail. Trained by Kelly Breen, Sunday Geisha may need to show speed to avoid being shuffled back in the large field.

Sweet August Moon is a first-time starter with sharp works. Trained by Brian Koriner, she has had seven workouts at Del Mar since mid-July.