Cotillion Stakes features top flight fillies

By: SPORTS NETWORK

Bensalem, PA (Sports Network) - A solid field of 10 high quality 3-year-old fillies will do battle Saturday in Parx Racing's $1 million Cotillion Stakes. The 1 1/16-mile stakes is the co-feature with the $1 million Pennsylvania Derby.

Hall of Fame trainer Jerry Hollendorfer will saddle undefeated chestnut filly Sweet Lulu in the Cotillion. Owned by Steve Beneto, Sweet Lulu will start from post 7 with Julien Leparoux again in the saddle.

The filly is coming off a head victory in the Test Stakes last month at Saratoga. Perfect in four career starts, all this year, Sweet Lulu has banked $411,600.

After three months away from the races, Mother Goose winner Close Hatches will break from post 9 on Saturday with Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith getting the ride.

Trained by Bill Mott, Close Hatches began her career in January at Gulfstream Park and won her first three starts. She was seventh to Princess of Sylmar in the Kentucky Oaks and second in the Acorn behind Midnight Lucky.

Close Hatches, owned by Juddmonte Farms, has earned $451,300 with four wins in six starts.

Delaware Oaks winner Dancing Afleet will start from post 3 with Alex Cintron in the saddle. Dancing Afleet is owned and trained by Tim Ritchey.

With three wins in five starts, all since April, Dancing Afleet has earned $248,500.

Here is the complete Cotillion field from the rail out: Flash Forward, Rajiv Maragh; Carnival Court, Luis Saez; Dancing Afleet, Alex Cintron; Asiya, Irad Ortiz Jr.; Seaneen Girl, Paco Lopez; My Happy Face, Javier Castellano; Sweet Lulu, Julien Leparoux; Promise Me More, Jose Ortiz; Close Hatches, Mike Smith and Street Girl, Angel Castillo.

The Cotillion will have an approximate post-time of 5:10 p.m. (ET).