Three leading juveniles clash

MIAMI - Who is the best 2-year-old stabled at Calder this season? That argument will be settled right where it should be, on the racetrack, when division leaders Straight Faced, Yesbyjimminy, and Green Vegas all square off for the first time in Saturday's $150,000 Jack Price Juvenile Stakes.

The seven-furlong Jack Price is the most interesting race on a 12-race Florida Million program that includes seven other stakes, all for Florida-breds.

Straight Faced and Yesbyjimminy are undefeated around one turn, but have both been beaten by Green Vegas going a distance of ground. Green Vegas defeated Straight Faced in the In Reality Stakes and Yesbyjimminy in the Foolish Pleasure Breeders' Cup.

Straight Faced, undefeated in his first four starts, including the Dr. Fager and the Affirmed division of the Florida Stallion Stakes, was the division leader until he sustained his first setback in the In Reality. Straight Faced finished fourth after engaging in a torrid pace battle for the first seven furlongs.

"The trip wasn't the best and the jury is still out on whether he wants to go long," said trainer Steve DiMauro. "But he's doing well, and going back to seven furlongs is a plus. This will definitely be his toughest test."

DiMauro said his situation is similar to that of the Eddie Plesa Jr.-trained Yesbyjimminy.

"Eddie's horse, like mine, didn't win around two turns but has shown he's a solid sprinter, and Green Vegas beat us last time," DiMauro said. "There's a whole group of good horses in this field and not only one or two to be concerned about."

Yesbyjimminy rebounded from his setback in the Foolish Pleasure to dominate the six-furlong Criterium by five lengths on Oct. 14.

"He got sick after the Foolish Pleasure so I don't really count that race," Plesa said. "This is as good a field of 2-year-olds as I can remember around here and about the most interesting race I've been involved in for a long time. I guess you can say whoever wins it deserves to be called the local 2-year-old champion. And I couldn't feel any better about our chances."

Green Vegas will attempt to shorten up to a sprint after winning the Foolish Pleasure and In Reality around two turns, and like both Straight Faced and Yesbyjimminy he will carry 122 pounds.

Dream of Angels, a stakes winner at Lone Star this past summer, and Dippi Trippi, who has not finished worse than second in five starts, are among the other key contenders.