This 1 3/16 mile lawn party for fillies and mares appears to be the most competitive of the three Grade I races. Collectively the six contestants have made 19 starts this year for an aggregate record of 14 wins, 1 place and 2 shows.
Trainer Criquette Head, who won the race in 1995 with Hatoof, is back from France, this time with Group I winner Always Loyal, and Dermot Weld is coming from Ireland with Dance Design, whose impressive resume is highlighted by a victory in last year’s Group I Irish Oaks.
Coming from California is Donna Viola, a winner of major races in England, Ireland and France before moving to the Pacific Coast last fall and subsequently enjoying comparable success.
The East Coast contingent is made up of Maxzene, Memories of Silver and Escena.
Maxzene and Memories of Silver made their last start in Belmont’s Grade II New York Handicap and finished 1-2.
Escena, owned by Allen Paulson and trained by Bill Mott of Cigar fame and fortune, was sent from New York to Del Mar to prep in the Grade I Ramona Handicap and responded with an impressive victory.
