By Christie DeBernardis
Champion Jaywalk (Cross Traffic) makes her highly anticipated seasonal bow in Saturday's GII Davona Dale S. at Gulfstream Park. Winner of Delaware's White Clay Creek S. in August, the roan ran the field off their feet in Belmont's GI Frizette S. Oct. 7, taking them gate-to-wire for a 5 3/4-length score at odds of 6-1. She repeated that performance in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies with another front-running, 5 1/2-length romp at Churchill Downs Nov. 2, cementing her status as the year's top juvenile filly. The Eclipse winner has had just one breeze in the interim, going an easy half-mile in :50.55 at Palm Meadows Feb. 24.
“She hasn't grown a whole lot,” trainer John Servis told the Gulfstream notes team. “The time off did her a lot of good, though, I think mentally. She put on a little bit of weight. I'm really happy with where she is right now, so it was mission accomplished.”
He continued, “Our first big goal is going to be the Oaks, so we're concentrating on that. Do I want her peaking on March 2? No, I don't. But, she's doing well. She doesn't have to be in front. She can press, but she's sharp so I expect her to be close. And, I expect her to run well.”
With undefeated 'TDN Rising Star' and GIII Forward Gal S. winner Feedback (Violence) bypassing this race, Jaywalk stands in a class of her own in this field. Of the six fillies brave enough to take on the divisional leader, Champagne Anyone (Street Sense) appears to be a strong candidate for second money. Graduating in her second attempt at Ellis Park in August, the bay won a Keeneland optional claimer Oct. 10 and was fourth in a sloppy renewal of the GII Golden Rod S. at Churchill Downs. She rounded out the trifecta in the local Forward Gal last time Feb. 2.
“I'm happy with her. I'm very pleased with her training,” conditioner Ian Wilkes said. “I think she's moved forward since that race, and she needs to, because the water just gets deeper.”
Another who looks to have a good shot at hitting the board is High Regard (Will Take Charge), who makes her sophomore debut in this test. Earning her diploma at second asking at Churchill in September, she finished fourth as the favorite to Champagne Anyone in that Oct. 10 Keeneland test. Third next out behind 'TDN Rising Star' Mother Mother (Pioneerof the Nile) in the Rags to Riches S. back in Louisville Oct. 28, the bay filled the show spot again in the Golden Rod.
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