Yell roars to easy win in the Davona Dale

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - With his reigning 2-year-old filly champion still several weeks away from making her 2003 debut, trainer Shug McGaughey went to the bench for Sunday's $150,000 at Gulfstream Park and came up with an ample replacement in Yell who rallied to an easy six length victory over Ivanavinalot in the Grade 2 fixture for 3-year-old fillies. The previously undefeated My Boston Gal finished fifth and last as the 3-2 favorite.

Yell, a daughter of A.P. Indy and Wild Applause, was making the jump from a first level allowance victory into graded stakes company for the Davona Dale. She rated off the early pace of Ivanavinalot who was pressed from the outset by Perfect Story, rallied to engage Ivanavinalot at the top of the stretch then drew off with complete authority through the final furlong.

Ivanavinalot proved no match for the winner but was easily second best finishing 5 3-4 lengths in front of Gold Player. Perfect Story checked in a tiring fourth while My Boston Gal faded badly to finish 21 lengths behind the winner.

Yell was ridden to victory by John Velazquez who had won the Grade 1 Donn Handicap aboard Harlan's Holiday the previous day.

Yell paid $12.40 after covering the distance in 1:44.96 seconds over a good track.

"We were taking kind of a big step forward with her and she really responded," said Shug McGaughey who trains Yell for the Claiborne Farm and Adele Dilschneider.

"She settled in kindly behind the leaders and when it came time she responded and won kind of easily."

McGaughey said he'd see how Yell came out of the race but thought the Bonnie Miss Stakes(Grade 2 on March 14) would be next.

Trainer Kathleen O'Connell said she was a little disappointed in Ivanavinalot's performance.

"I was kind of hoping she'd be able to come from off the pace today," said O'Connell who earlier in the day won four races at Tampa Bay Downs.

Bird Town, who finished second beaten a neck by Yell under allowance conditions on Jan. 16, gave McGaughey a little added confidence going into the Davona Dale after drawing away to a 12 1-2 length victory over Crafty Brat in the $52,100 Charon Stakes. Bird Town returned $8.80 after running seven furlongs in 1:22.90.

Cellars Shiraz proved she's as good on dirt as she is on turf when registering a popular 4 3-4 length victory in Sunday's $75,000 Georgia Stakes, a race moved from the grass to the main track due to overnight rains. Cellars Shiraz paid $3.60 as the heavy favorite in a scratch reduced field of seven older fillies and mares.

Both Bird Town and Cellars Shiraz were ridden to victory by Eibar Coa.