Taking a 'backseat' to no filly in Bonnie Miss

Backseat Rhythm has taken a proverbial backseat to the division's best fillies to date, most notably to 2-year-old champ Indian Blessing, who defeated her in the Frizette and Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies last fall. But Saturday, it could finally be the daughter of El Corredor's time to shine, as she appears to be the horse to beat in the $150,000 Bonnie Miss (G2) at Gulfstream Park.

One thing the seven-horse Bonnie Miss has is speed, which should play right into the hands of the late-running Backseat Rhythm, who is clearly the class of the race. Stablemate Classy Concern was entered as a rabbit for Backseat Rhythm to make sure there is plenty of pace injected into the 1 1/8-mile race, and Backseat Rhythm, who comes off a third-place finish in a grass allowance race in her seasonal debut, should get a perfect trip tracking the early speed from her inside draw.

The dirt is her preferred surface and she should move way forward moving turf-to-dirt with a tightener under her belt. Last year, Backseat Rhythm was second to Indian Blessing in the aforementioned Frizette before running third behind that filly and current Kentucky Oaks favorite Proud Spell in the Breeders' Cup. That class, along with the additional distance, makes Backseat Rhythm clearly the horse to beat in the Bonnie Miss, as she faces only two other fillies with stakes experience.

Her biggest rival appears to be Highest Class, a Mineshaft filly that also has the late-closing style to appreciate the nine-furlong distance and likely fast pace scenario. Highest Class, like Backseat Rhythm, was also third to Indian Blessing and Proud Spell in her last start in the Silverbulletday Stakes at Fair Grounds, and she too will be looking for a breakout win to vault her towards the upcoming Kentucky Oaks.

Expect a pair of strong late runs from these two fillies, with Backseat Rhythm proving best inside the sixteenth pole.