Fillies and mares display fleet feet

Saturday afternoon's 10-race card at Laurel Park in Maryland featured a trio of $100,000 open stakes, but it was a two-year-old filly that stole the show.

Having won her career debut at Parx by 13 lengths against maiden special weight company, Cathryn Sophia (Roberto Rosado) was made the 1-9 favorite in the $100,000 Gin Talking Stakes for two-year-old fillies. When the dust settled in that seven-furlong affair even that price looked like a bargain.

When the gates opened in the Gin Talking, Cathryn Sophia and Prognosis both broke alertly, but within a matter of strides the favorite had gained command and led the field by the opener in 23 flat.

Cathryn Sophia widened her advantage through the far turn and by the half in 46.3 and continued to sprint clear from her rivals and she eventually romped home 15 lengths in front while stopping the timer in 1:23.17.

A two-year-old daughter of Street Boss trained by John Servis of Smarty Jones fame, Cathryn Sophia has won both of her starts by a combined 28 lengths and looks poised to garner champion Maryland-bred two-year-old filly honors. She looks capable of making a run for Maryland-bred horse of the year honors at some point.

Two races later on the card, Vorticity outfought Never Gone South to capture the $100,000 Marylander Stakes in 1:24.63 for his second straight score. Vorticity graduated in his previous outing at Aqueduct against maiden special weight foes. His winning clocking was considerably slower than the one Cathryn Sophia posted an hour earlier.

Then two races later on the card, Lady Sabelia stalked the early leaders down the backside and through the far turn then swept to command at the top of the lane and drew clear late to a three-length score in 1:10.17 in the $100,000 Willa On The Move Stakes for fillies and mares.

A five-year-old Majestic Warrior mare trained by Robin Graham for owner-breeder Mrs. Frank Wright, Lady Sabelia has won four of six starts and earned nearly $400,000 this year. She will look to successfully defend her title in the Grade II Barbara Fritchie Stakes here next February and she is among the finalists for Maryland-based horse of the year.