Silverbulletday pits Breeders' Cup rematch

Just a little more than three months ago, Indian Blessing was putting the finishing touches on her championship 2-year-old campaign, completing an undefeated season with an impressive front-running win in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1).

In doing so, she defeated another unbeaten filly at the time in Proud Spell. That filly finished a valiant second behind Indian Blessing on that day but both debutantes stamped themselves as top Kentucky Oaks hopefuls heading into 2008.

Fast forward about 100 days.

The chance that the Western-based Indian Blessing and the Eastern-based Proud Spell would meet again was not anticipated before the Kentucky Oaks on the first Friday in May. But the fillies have been placed on paths that have led them both to Fair Grounds Race Course this Saturday for an exciting rematch well before the racing world thought they would get it, as Indian Blessing and Proud Spell will do battle in the $200,000 Silverbulletday Stakes (G3).

Trained by Bob Baffert, Indian Blessing has since returned from the Breeders' Cup and captured the Santa Ynez (G2) last month at Santa Anita. But it wasn't a flattering performance, as the speedy filly blitzed through fast early fractions before slowing down noticeably in the stretch and just holding on by a deteriorating head at the wire at 1-10 odds over the local synthetic track – her first race over such a surface.

She'll be the favorite again Saturday in her pursuit to keep her perfect record in tact, but the feeling with Indian Blessing is that she is a brilliant filly that is likely best at sprints and middle distances. She was simply more precocious and better than any of her rivals at two. But every time she loads in the gate now as the distances slowly begin to stretch out, you can't help but get the feeling that she'll eventually begin to show serious distance limitations.

Will that happen this weekend?

Well, Indian Blessing is catching a field of seven in here and there only appears to be a couple of fillies that can beat her – unless she beats herself.

Miss Missile is a pretty quick filly and can definitely keep Indian Blessing occupied early on. It will be interesting to see if Indian Blessing allows Miss Missile to go on with it early as she takes up a stalking position, or if she hooks up with that one early on in a heated speed duel. I'd have to believe Baffert and company will try and employ the former.

At one point in this race Indian Blessing is likely to make the lead, but how will she hold up down that long Fair Grounds stretch when fillies like Proud Spell and Jolie the Cat are running at her late. Don't be surprised if Saturday is the day they get to her.

Proud Spell would appear to be the most likely to do that, as she makes her first start since last facing Indian Blessing in October. Trained by Larry Jones, she is a Grade 2 winner in her own right and the Silverbulletday is a home game for Proud Spell in her 3-year-old debut. She has a steady a solid work tab at Fair Grounds and Jones appears to have her ready to fire.

Proud Spell figures to get an ideal trip out in the clear right behind Indian Blessing, and she has the tactical speed to sit as close as needed. Expect her to track Indian Blessing's every move - if she can.

Jolie the Cat, recent winner of the Tiffany Lass Stakes at Fair Grounds, is another that prefers to be forwardly placed in her races and should accompany Proud Spell in the second flight. She proved last out that two turns is no problem and that she has a little bit of quality for top local trainer Steve Asmussen.

Jolie the Cat could be the benefactor Saturday if Indian Blessing fails to handle the trip and Proud Spell comes up a little short on conditioning.

The race should boil down to those three in what will likely be a chalky race. I expect it to be a close affair inside the sixteenth pole, as a runaway winner is difficult for me to see. All three have something to prove before moving on to the next step toward the Kentucky Oaks.