California has the strength right now in the 3-year-old filly category. There may be one or two good ones back east, but the stronger group is out here.

I just feel like he's the right rider for the horse. Her best race is when she stalks (the leaders), and he can make a horse relax. We haven't had anybody like him come around in years.

The key is coming out in good condition. It's a good race as long as they're handling the distance. My filly still has to prove she can run 1 1/16 miles.

This filly loves to train, and she does it with great enthusiasm; that's why she needs spacing in her races. She has run her guts out all six times she's raced, and in the three losses you could say something about each one of them. She does things right every time, and most horses don't do things right every time.

She's at the top of her game. She has trained excellent, and she does well when her races are spaced.

The only thing that will affect my decision is whether we decide to route. I don't want to cut her back in distance.