HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. -- Trainer Todd Pletcher felt Wait a While's future would be on grass after she overcame a bad trip to win her turf debut by five lengths this fall at Belmont Park. But after watching his versatile filly run away to a convincing 14-length victory in Saturday's $150,000 Davona Dale Stakes at Gulfstream Park, Pletcher is starting to have second thoughts.
"I'm still impressed by her turf race, it had been her most impressive effort by far, but after the way she ran today I guess we're going to have to keep her on the dirt," Pletcher said while leaving the winner's circle.
Wait a While rated in perfect position under jockey John Velazquez behind the pacesetting Stolen Prayer, gained command while racing a bit wide leaving the final turn, then drew off with complete authority through the stretch. Teammate, the 9-5 favorite in a field of seven 3-year-old fillies, angled off the rail approaching the stretch and outfinshed a wide running Wonder Lady Anne L to be second.
Wait a While paid $8.80 after covering the 1 1/8 miles over a sloppy track in 1:50.27. A daughter of Maria's Mon, Wait a While is owned by Alan Cohen's Arindel Farm. Cohen is the owner of the Florida Panthers NHL team.
Wait a While delayed the start of the Davona Dale when reluctant to load into the starting gate.
"She's done that before every race, but we've learned once you take the jockey off she'll go right in," said Pletcher.
"We've always liked her a lot," he said. "She's got tactical speed and she carries it. We can either run her here in the Bonnie Miss or wait until getting to Kentucky for the Ashland."
Old Hat: Misty Rosette still untested
Misty Rosette remained unbeaten and untested after drawing off to an easy four-length victory over Swap Fliparoo in the $100,000 Old Hat Stakes. The victory was the third in as many starts for Misty Rosette, who has won her three races by an average margin of nearly five lengths.
Misty Rosette showed her usual speed under regular rider Sebastian Madrid to force the early pace of Somethinaboutbetty. Misty Rosette shook loose approaching the quarter pole, then gradually increased her advantage under steady urging. Swap Fliparoo saved ground and was easily second best, finishing 1 3/4 lengths in front of Smart N Pretty.
Yachats, the 9-5 favorite, finished a tiring fourth after prompting the early pace. She was followed by Miraculous Miss and a tiring Somethinaboutbetty.
Misty Rosette, a 3-year-old daughter of Stormin Fever, ran 6 1/2 furlongs in 1:16.03 over the sloppy track and paid $12.40.
"We haven't even asked her to open up yet," said James Chapman, who trains Misty Rosette for owners Sonia Chapman and Stuart Tsujimoto. "Our goal with her is to make the Kentucky Oaks."
Chapman said Misty Rosette would likely make her next start in the Grade 2 Forward Gal Stakes here at seven furlongs on March 5.
Suwannee River: Eyes on Eddy shines
The wet weather was ideal for Eyes on Eddy, who was entered in the $100,000 Suwannee River Handicap as a main-track-only runner. When the race was switched from the turf to the main track, 7 of the original 12 entrants were scratched, helping Eyes on Eddy go off as the 6-5 favorite against four rivals, three of whom had had most of their success on turf.
Eyes on Eddy sat just off the early pace, moved three paths wide entering the far turn to seize the lead, then was fully extended to hold off Taittinger Rose - the other main-track-only entrant - and win by a half-length. Eyes on Eddy paid $4.60.
Taittinger Rose, who trailed early before making a strong move on the final turn, finished 9 3/4 lengths in front of third-place Marchonin, who got a dream run along the rail when early leader Elle Runaway drifted off the rail midway around the final turn.
Rafael Bejarano rode Eyes on Eddy, who was timed in 1:49.56 for 1 1/8 miles on a track rated sloppy.
Eyes on Eddy, 4, a daughter of Touch Gold, who has now won 5 times in 14 starts. She most recently had captured a division of the My Charmer Stakes at Turfway Park on Dec. 10. She is trained by Paul McGee.
- additional reporting by Jay Privman