Woodbine: Biamonte out to keep his hot hand with Rose and Shine

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Trainer Ralph Biamonte has won a Woodbine stakes on each of the past two Saturdays, and will try to keep the roll going this Saturday with Rose and Shine in the $150,000 My Dear, a five-furlong dash for 2-year-old fillies.

Rose and Shine rallied wide from fifth under Patrick Husbands to land her $40,000 debut over Quit Worrying on May 27. She was awarded a Beyer Speed Figure of 60 for covering 4 1/2 furlongs in 52.11 seconds.

“We were pleasantly surprised that she won, but not totally amazed,” said Biamonte. “We thought that she could run a big race, and she beat my other filly, Quit Worrying, who came back and won a maiden allowance.”

Rose and Shine breezed a half-mile in 48.40 seconds on the training track last Sunday with champion Milwaukee Appeal, who went five-eighths.

“I wanted them to be head-and-head,” said Biamonte. “I worked them from the half-mile pole, but I wanted Milwaukee Appeal to go to the seven-eighths pole. [Rose and Shine] worked good. I had Omar Moreno on her, because Patrick has to ride one for Pletcher.”

Husbands will ride the Todd Pletcher-trained More Than Minted, who led throughout her only start in a 4 1/2-furlong maiden special at Churchill.

Biamonte said Rose and Shine has some similarities to Banner Bill, whom he sent out to win the Victoria Stakes for 2-year-olds last Saturday.

“She has the same mindset,” Biamonte explained. “You wouldn’t even know she’s around. She’s very professional. She knows when it’s time to put her game face on. She’s a good-sized filly. She’s very athletic, with a lovely, long stride. She does everything effortlessly.”

Runfor Ro won her maiden by disqualification after being impeded in the stretch in her lone outing here May 28. She got a 55 Beyer Figure in that short maiden special.

“I thought she’d have won the race hands-down if she didn’t get bumped,” said trainer Greg De Gannes. “She’s done well ever since. She worked brilliantly last weekend. I think she’s a quality filly. When you look at her pedigree, she’s not bred to run 4 1/2 furlongs. She’s by Afleet Alex and out of a Lear Fan mare. She’s bred to run 10 furlongs.”

Eleven others were entered, including the speedy debut winner Hope for a Win and Plus One, who earned a 72 Beyer for romping in her first start at Presque Isle Downs.