Girl Power: Questing

As muddled and indecisive as this year's racing has played out, there are few divisions quite so inconsistent as the three-year-old fillies' group. Few of the spring's most promising females remain prominent on the black type scene. Many fillies once considered superstars have lapsed back into relative obscurity. Hunting out the one "big horse" is like looking for a needle in a haystack.

Last weekend marked the first change in this wishy-washy crop. Questing, a sophomore daughter of Hard Spun, shoved her way onto headlines in a complete demolishing of the Alabama Stakes (G1). En route to victory, the Godolphin Racing filly headed the seven horse Calvary charge through suicidal fractions of 22.84, 46 flat, 1:09.74, and 1:35. Into the stretch, thousands of fans gaped at the filly, expecting her to fold into midpack at any given moment -- but Questing didn't slow. Still lunging effortlessly over the fast dirt, she danced away from In Lingerie, the second-place finisher, to prance home first by 9 astonishing lengths. The final time of 2:01.29 for the 10 furlong distance was far beyond an ordinary run. Although times from different days and tracks are nearly impossible to compare, you can scribble down into your notepad that Questing's final time was 0.54 seconds faster than I'll Have Another's Kentucky Derby victory, despite ducking out into the stretch.

Questing waves 'goodbye' to In Lingerie, and romps away with ease.

It's beginning to look like the three-year-old fillies' may have found themselves a solid leader in the flashy young Questing. Not only is she fast and choc full of endurance -- Questing is steadily building herself a solid race record. The Alabama was no fluke; it was her third straight win in a nine race career. Three starts back, Questing blew away a one mile, allowance optional claiming by over three lengths. Next, she sailed up in class with a four length victory in the 1 1/8 mile TVG Coaching Club American Oaks (G1).

In all three of her consecutive victories, Questing has led the field in gate to wire fashion, cutting sharp fractions along the way. Is she is to employ a similar strategy in the Breeders' Cup Ladies' Classic -- or even the Breeders' Cup Classic, perhaps -- it is tough to imagine a happy, healthy Questing defeated by this year's few remaining top-notch 3-year-olds. I am not saying that's she's unbeatable; many things could occur between now and this November. Assuming that she doesn't "bounce", however, and maintains this stellar form, it is very, very difficult to envision Questing as anything other than a top contender in whatever races she chooses to enter.

In a year marred by injury and retirement, it is refreshing to watch such fabulous fillies as Questing strut their stuff on the racetrack. What racing needs most is a long-lasting star; perhaps it will come in the form of girl power.