Calendar Check for Star Watchers

Now we know that some folks like to plan ahead; like to mark their calendars well in advance. So, with some educated guessing meant to shine the light on the probable-to-possible, here's a likely (!) itinerary for that lovely daughter of Empire Maker the guys at The Jockey Club call Country Star, though everyone else is getting to know as "The Queen of the 3-year-old Fillies," or "The Second Coming of Rags to Riches": Trainer Robert Frankel just might have an all 'Anita campaign in mind for his fast and dark lassie, provided, of course, that the folks at the Arcadia oval are able to settle their track down with the sprinkling of those Australian additives (and we'll have no kangaroo jokes here) before the month is out.

If that gets accomplished, and the Hall of Fame conditioner agrees all is well underfoot, you might see the following:

* Country Star appears next on Saturday, February 9 in the Grade I Las Virgines at Santa Anita. That's a mile race with a $250,000 pot for 3-year-old fillies only.

* Country Star follows that up with a run on Saturday, March 8 in the Grade I Santa Anita Oaks. That's a mile and one-sixteenth race with a $300,000 lure for 3-year-old fillies only.

* Country Star then surfaces on Saturday, April 5 in the Grade I Santa Anita Derby. That's a mile and one eighth with a $750,000 incentive that is open to 3-year-olds only. Should those events unfold as speculated....and should Country Star prove capable of performing up to the very high level she's established for herself thus far (especially in regard to that last crucible)....you are likely next to see her sweet face in Kentucky with a pair of nifty options that just might have the racing world all atwitter:

* Friday, May 2, the Grade I Kentucky Oaks at nine furlongs for a $500,000 purse for 3-year-old fillies only, or

* Saturday, May 3, the Grade I Kentucky Derby at 10 furlongs for a $2-million guaranteed prize open to 3-year-olds of all shapes and sizes. Now if it were to shake down like that, do you think there'd be a little buzz around Mr. Frankel's barn? And do you think the trainer, who has been know to play a little poker, might keep his cards close to his vest?  And wouldn't he -- and couldn't we -- have a little fun with that!

Ah, January dreams. And sometimes, you know, they even come true.