CARELESS JEWEL looks the answer to this conundrum with Music Note and Proviso selected as the alternatives. Josie Carroll's filly has been imperious this year with victories at Del Mar, Saratoga and Philadelphia Park and she still looks open to further progression still. Music Note finished third in last year's renewal to Zenyatta. That mare is elsewhere but the Godolphin runner quickened well when challenged in the Beldame Stakes at Belmont Park. Proviso has to be respected from the Bobby Frankel stable. She was demoted to second place in the Spinster Stakes behind Mushka when she was adjusted to have caused interference inside the final furlong. The record shows that there were one-and-a-quarter lengths between them as they passed the wire. It is always folly to ignore John Gosden even when he ships over apparent outsiders to take their chances in the Breeders Cup. Rainbow View has never quite captured the heights that many imagined and while supporters were once again disappointed by her at Woodbine, if she takes to the surface, she is not without merit at this level. Lethal Heat brings course form to the table having lost no caste in defeat to Zenyatta when they met here in the Lady's Secret Stakes. Careless Jewel has been the star performer in her division, and in the absence of Zenyatta, can crown off her season here.
Careless Jewel (USA) 3-10fav (8-12) Drifted, clear,driving, won at Philadelphia Park(USA) 1m 3yo Grp 2 in Oct beating Bon Jovi Girl (8-2) by 3 1/2l, 6 ran.
Life Is Sweet (USA) 8-1 (8-11) Came out str,best rest, 4th of 8, 2 1/4l behind Zenyatta (8-11) at Oak Tree At Santa Anita(USA) 1m Group 1 stks in Oct.
Mushka (USA) 5-1 (8-11) Broke in air, checked, won at Keeneland(USA) 1m 1f Group 1 stks in Oct beating Proviso (8-11) by 1 1/4l, 11 ran.
Lethal Heat (USA) 18-1 (8-11) Waited,bid btwn,up 2nd, 2nd of 8, 1 1/4l behind Zenyatta (8-11) at Oak Tree At Santa Anita(USA) 1m Group 1 stks in Oct.
Proviso 10-3 (8-11) Shied 1/6, swerved, in a race won by Proviso (8-11) at Keeneland(USA) 1m 1f Group 1 stks in Oct, 11 ran.
Cocoa Beach (CHI) 5-1 (8-11) Bobbled start,bid btwn, 3rd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Zenyatta (8-11) at Oak Tree At Santa Anita(USA) 1m Group 1 stks in Oct.
Music Note (USA) 1-4fav (8-11) Vigorous hand ride, won at Belmont Park(USA) 1m 1f Group 1 stks in Oct beating Unbridled Belle (8-11) by 2 1/4l, 5 ran.
Rainbow View (USA) 9-4fav (8-6) Led str,headed 1/8 pl, 2nd of 8, 1 3/4l behind Lahaleeb (8-6) at Woodbine(USA) 1m 2f Grp 1 stks gf in Oct.
