Frankel Filly Has the Edge

A Group I winner in France, Etoile Montante looks to have too much class for her eight rivals in today’s $75,000 Osunitas Handicap at Del Mar.

Owned and bred by Juddmonte Farms and trained by Bobby Frankel, the 4-year-old Miswaki filly will be looking for her second win in five starts since she came to the U.S. last fall.

If she is to win the Osunitas, a 1 1/16 -mile turf race, Etoile Montante, who is the 3-5 favorite on the morning line, is going to have to win at a distance she has yet to attempt. In all 13 of her races, six of them victories, she has run either 6 1/2 furlongs, seven furlongs or one mile.

One of those capable of upsetting the favorite is Makeup Artist.

Owned by George Krikorian and trained by John Shirreffs, she won the Senorita Handicap as a 3-year-old and was most recently third behind Janeian and Katdogawn in the Royal Heroine Handicap in her third start after a long layoff. Mike Smith will ride the 4-year-old daughter of Dynaformer for the first time.

The Osunitas field is completed by longshot Bartok’s Blithe, who will be ridden by winless apprentice David Cohen; Shalini; Sparkling Ava; Voz De Colegiala; Letra De Cambio; Reefs Sis; and Cat Alert, who has won three of her last four.

Race of the day: Snowdrops, who has won four in a row for owner Howard Spink and trainer Christophe Clement, heads a field of 10 in the second division of the $65,000 De La Rose at Saratoga. In the first division of the one-mile turf race, the Frankel-trained Personal Legend will take on the improving Seven Moons, Something Ventured, Vespers and six others.

One for the road: Daysman looks like the controlling speed and could go wire to wire against seven other New York-breds in today’s seventh at Saratoga. Fernando Jara will ride the 3-year-old filly for Merrylegs Farm and trainer John Hertler in the $44,000 allowance at 1 1/8 miles.

Exotically speaking: A pick three using Wicca Day in the fourth, Silver Pass and Haint You Grand in the fifth, and Chikendinnerwinner, Red Legend and Rebel Rage in the sixth.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 1/40. Money: Previous day/meet total: $3/$219.80. Total money bet: $308.