Free Like a Girl coming off giant win

It’s rare to see a horse win by the proverbial “length of the stretch,” but Free Like a Girl lived up to that old adage last month when the 2-year-old filly rolled by 18 1/2 lengths in a stakes at Delta Downs.

“I was astounded for sure,” said trainer Chasey Deville-Pomier. “We knew she could run, but it was definitely a surprise for all of us.”

Free Like a Girl will make her first start since the double-digit domination on Friday in the $100,000 My Trusty Cat at Delta. The one-mile race for 2-year-old fillies has a field of 10 and includes stakes winner Sea Level.

Free Like a Girl is moving into open company after winning the $100,000 Louisiana Jewel over fellow statebreds Oct. 22. The sevenfurlong race was run around two turns.

“This is open company and a little farther,” said Deville-Pomier. “This is a test for her. We’ll see where she comes out. I think she can handle it. She’s shown a lot of ability and handled everything with class.”

Free Like a Girl will be looking for her third straight stakes win. Prior to the Jewel, she won the fillies division of the $60,000 D.S. “Shine” Young Memorial Futurity on Sept. 17 at Evangeline Downs.

The Young Memorial was run over 5 1/2 furlongs. On the move to two turns for the first time in the Jewel, Free Like a Girl was content to stalk the pace before separating herself from her rivals in the lane. The Beyer Speed Figure of 77 she earned is the best career number in the field Friday.

Pedro Cotto Jr. has the mount from post 10.

“I’m fine with the outside, that doesn’t ever bother me,” said Deville-Pomier. “Yes, she’s going to have to get a good spot, good position, and make a good run.”

Free Like a Girl has more wins than any of her My Trusty Cat rivals, with a record of three victories from seven starts. She faced open company earlier in her career, finishing second and third in maiden special weight races at Lone Star Park, once against male rivals.

Free Like a Girl is a daughter of El Deal who races for her trainer, as well as Pomier-Deville’s father, Carl Deville, and Gerald Bruno Jr.

Sea Level brings a 2-for-2 record into the My Trusty Cat. She was a seven-length winner of a maiden special weight over 5 1/2 furlongs in August at Indiana Grand, then came back to win the $50,000 E.L. Gaylord Memorial over 6 1/2 furlongs in September at Remington Park.

The daughter of Preakness and Delta Downs Jackpot winner Exaggerator is making her twoturn debut. She will start from post 3 under Timothy Thornton.

Brad Cox trains Sea Level for her breeders, Barry and Joni Butzow.