Paved, Fatale Bere rematched

ARCADIA, Calif. – One cannot sugarcoat the subpar recent performance by Paved, nor overstate the impressive comeback victory by Fatale Bere.

Both are among the elite 3-year-old turf fillies in California, but when they met two months ago in the Grade 3 Providencia Stakes, it was not even close.

Paved, who had defeated males in the El Camino Real Derby at Golden Gate Fields, finished a distant third as the Providencia favorite.

Fatale Bere, whose 2-year-old form seemed a distant memory, returned from a four-month layoff with a stylish upset victory in the Providencia.

They meet again Saturday at Santa Anita in the Grade 2, $200,000 Honeymoon Stakes, a 1 1/8-mile turf race for 3-yearold fillies. Paved can win only if she improves on her last start. Fatale Bere may only need to repeat her last start.

Bettors stung by the low-odds defeat might be less forgiving, but trainer Michael McCarthy has not lost faith in Paved. He still believes Paved is a top filly with much potential.

“I have all the faith in the world in” Paved, McCarthy said. “There was no disgrace getting beat. It was a good learning experience. We have big expectations.”

At least Paved had an excuse in the Providencia.

“She usually pulls for an eighth of a mile, then drops it,” McCarthy said. “The other day she pulled for nearly threeeighths. The dynamics of the race – she was going to lay a little bit closer – took her kick away.”

Fatale Bere, meanwhile, enters with less uncertainty. Her comeback in the Providencia sets her up for a big season, and trainer Leonard Powell expects another top effort.

“If we run a good race on Saturday, the Belmont Oaks is a logical next step,” Powell said, referring to the Grade 1, $1 million race July 7 at Belmont Park.

Eight entered the Honeymoon, race 8 on the 11-race Saturday card. The others are May Girl, Finess Bere, Animosity, Ms Peintour, Miss Sienna, and Movie Moment.

KEY CONTENDERS

Paved, by Quality Road Last 3 Beyers: 81-86-88

◗ Gary Stevens picks up the mount on Paved because regular rider Drayden Van Dyke rides Cambodia on Saturday at Belmont. Stevens has worked Paved.

◗ Paved also will be considered for the Belmont Oaks if she runs well this weekend, McCarthy said.

Fatale Bere, by Pedro the Great Last 3 Beyers: 88-68-79

◗ The 4-for-7 Fatale Bere finished fifth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf last fall. She had a tough trip in the Grade 3 Jimmy Durante at Del Mar in November, then was off four months.

◗ Alonso Quinonez picks up the mount from Joel Rosario.