Winning May Be in ‘Fashion

Island Fashion won four of 10 starts in 2003, including Grade I victories in the Alabama at Saratoga and the La Brea Stakes last month at Santa Anita.

Her resume, which also included a second and $1,112,970, wasn’t enough to earn her a spot among the three finalists for the Eclipse awards, which will be announced Jan. 26.

The three finalists for the award as best 3-year-old filly of last year are Bird Town, Six Perfections and Elloluv. The latter won only one Grade I and was well beaten by Island Fashion in the La Brea.

Owned by Jeff Nielsen and trained by Marcelo Polanco, Island Fashion will try to win two in a row for the second time in her career when she takes on seven rivals in the $150,000 El Encino Stakes.

A Grade II at 1 1/16 miles, the El Encino also attracted Voodoo’s Sister, Sea Jewel, Hope Rises, Victory Encounter, Cat Fighter, Gone Exclusive and Personal Legend.

Race of the day: Commendation, who has won three of five starts on the turf for trainer Graham Motion, is among 12 3-year-olds scheduled to run in the $60,000 Dave Feldman at Gulfstream Park. The Feldman goes at about 1 1/16 miles and other contenders include Ravadon, Artie Schiller, Up Anchor and Gin Rummy Champ. John Velazquez will ride Commendation, who has won both of his starts at today’s distance.

One for the road: Romazzino makes his first start in New York in today’s fourth at Aqueduct after chasing some talented 3-year-olds -- namely, Dwango and Wimbledon -- in his most recent race at Santa Anita. The Gulch colt can make his first start for trainer Steve Klesaris a winning one. Shaun Bridgmohan will ride.

Exotically speaking: A trifecta putting High Tracks on top in the ninth with Got The Message, Kenny Hawk and Balenos in the second and all in the third spot.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 5/53. Money: Previous day/meet total: $41.60/$275.40. Total money bet: $310.