'Twilight' proves versatile

MIAMI - Trainer David Fawkes wasn't exactly shocked by Twilight Road's recent victory in the Grade 3 Miami Breeders' Cup Handicap at Calder. Pleasantly surprised might be the more appropriate way to sum up his feelings about Twilight Road's victory over a field of more seasoned turf specialists in the Miami Mile.

"The way he ran in the race didn't surprise me," said Fawkes. "I knew the way he was training he'd come up with a good effort. But the fact he ran so well and was able to win a graded race like that on the turf was a surprise, considering it was only the second time he'd ever raced on grass."

Twilight Road has flourished since being turned over to Fawkes near the end of the Gulfstream meet. Earlier this year, the 7-year-old Twilight Road won the Grade 3 Memorial Day Handicap over the main track. His newfound fondness for the grass gives Fawkes plenty of options in the weeks ahead.

"There are two races in the book for older horses, the Flying Pidgeon on the turf [Oct. 9] and the Grade 3 Spend a Buck over the main track two weeks later," said Fawkes. "I'll see how the first one comes up, but I really prefer giving him at least 30 days between races and I also believe he's still a better horse on dirt. So chances are I might just wait for the Spend a Buck."

Cin Cin unlikely for Foolish Pleasure

Nominations have been released for the $100,000 Foolish Pleasure and its filly counterpart, the $100,000 Brave Raj Stakes, to be run on Oct. 2. Both are 2-year-old races carded at 1 1/16 miles and mark the final major preps for the $400,000 In Reality and My Dear Girl divisions of the Florida Stallion Stakes three weeks later.

The most prominent name on the list for the Foolish Pleasure is Cin Cin, easy winner of the seven-furlong Affirmed Division of the Stallion Stakes. Trainer Bill White, however, said he would most likely pass the Foolish Pleasure with Cin Cin and train her into the In Reality.

Trainer Milt Wolfson has nominated his two top 2-year-old prospects, Lucky Frolic and Cherokee Chase, to the Foolish Pleasure. Lucky Frolic is not eligible for the Stallion Stakes, but Cherokee Chase, easy winner of the Seacliff Stakes earlier this month, is being pointed for the In Reality.

Only 12 fillies were nominated to the Brave Raj, including Dansetta Light, upset winner of the one-mile Lindsay Frolic Stakes on Sept. 6, and Miss Croft, who has won her last three starts, including an allowance race at a mile here last Sunday.

* Najibes Acres, who has finished second behind Adobe Gold in her last three starts on dirt, will face no such opposition when she returns to the allowance ranks in Friday's $29,000 feature. Najibes Acres is one of only two 3-year-olds in the field, which also includes the promising but lightly raced Alix M. and Shady Woman.