Vivian Da Bling impresses in My Trusty Cat

Vivian Da Bling established herself as the early favorite for next month’s Grade 3, $400,000 Delta Downs Princess on Friday night by cruising to an eight-length win in the local prep for the race, the $100,000 My Trusty Cat. Zelda Can Dance rallied from last for second, while it was another length back to Pitcher in third.

The Princess, for 2-year-old fillies, is part of the Delta Downs Jackpot program Nov. 22.

Vivian Da Bling ($3.40) had a clean start in the My Trusty Cat, a seven-furlong race run around two turns, and was quickly clear through an opening quarter in 22.58 seconds. She proceeded to take the field through a half-mile in 46.79 seconds, then opened up on her rivals through the stretch. Vivian Da Bling covered the distance on a fast track in 1:27.86.

Chris Rosier rode the winner for JRita Young Thoroughbreds and trainer Bret Calhoun.

Calhoun said earlier this week that Vivian Da Bling could develop into a candidate for the Princess with the right kind of performance in the My Trusty Cat. Vivian Da Bling came into Friday night’s race off a fourth-place finish in the Grade 2 Adirondack at Saratoga. In that race, she finished behind three runners who last Monday were pre-entered in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies: Cavorting, who has since defected, Angela Renee, and Wonder Gal.

Vivian Da Bling has won three of four starts, including a division of the Texas Thoroughbred Association Sales Futurity in July at Lone Star Park. She is a daughter of Too Much Bling and was bred in Louisiana by Channon Farm. Vivian Da Bling was making her two-turn debut in the Princess.