ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Trainer Sam DiPasquale is having a productive meet with 2-year-olds, and his roll could continue Saturday at Woodbine when he runs I Fly High in the $150,000 Ontario Debutante Stakes.
I Fly High won her only outing with determination July 17, in a 5 1/2-furlong maiden special, in which she dueled for the lead along the inside before drawing clear. Her time of 1:04.95 translated into a Beyer Figure of 62.
DiPasquale, who finished a close second in the July 31 Vandal Stakes with Ice Danger, said I Fly High is his best 2-year-old.
“She showed me a lot of talent,” said DiPasquale. “That’s why she didn’t show up as early as the other ones. We took a little time with her.”
DiPasquale said I Fly High, a Florida-bred by High Fly, has the build of a sprinter and the will to win.
“She’s built like a little colt,” DiPasquale explained. “She’s about average size, with a big chest and a huge back end. She’s very determined. She knows she’s an athlete. The only thing I’m worried about is she’s that she’s not seasoned enough. She’s only got one race into her, and we’re going into a stakes. I wish she had a little more experience. She still doesn’t know exactly what she’s doing, but she’s just so talented.”
DiPasquale said everything has fallen into place for his juveniles so far this year.
“I had 2-year-olds off and on all my life,” said DiPasquale. “Sometimes, you can’t get them to the races, but everything went perfect this year. They ones who’ve run had a good base under them, from being in Florida during the winter. They came up here March 15, and got sick. We got over all that really early. I got pretty lucky.”
Five other fillies were entered in the 6 1/2-furlong Debutante, including the Steve Asmussen-trained Mimi’s Missy.
Mimi’s Missy graduated second-time out in a romp here May 23, winning a 4 1/2-furlong maiden special with a 72 Beyer. Most recently in the five-furlong My Dear Stakes, she was a well-beaten third behind runaway winner Final Mesa.
Miss Taggart ran second in her debut behind Roxy Gap, who subsequently captured the Shady Well Stakes. She earned a 55 Beyer in her six-furlong maiden score July 24.
Wonderlandbynight ships in from Arlington off a slow maiden win over Illinois-breds.
