Fashion Feline is one cool cat
August 24, 2009,by Kimberly French, USTA Web Newsroom Senior Correspondent
Kimberly French Louisville, KY — 
The Pennsylvania-bred daughter of Broadway Hall-Sly Fox owns a mark of 1:57f, and has earned $103,387 from five race miles. Fashion Feline debuted in a baby race at the Meadowlands on June 27, captured a $26,180 division of the Reynolds Stake at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs on July 10, triumphed in $52,184 Pennsylvania Sire Stake on July 19 at Harrah’s Chester, won a $64,430 division of a Pennsylvania Sire Stake on August 11 at Pocono Downs and reigned victorious in a $63,980 division of a Pennsylvania Sire Stake on August 20 at The Meadows.
“We decided if she was going to go that cheap ($9,000) that we would just buy her back and try her out ourselves,” explained Jim Campbell, who is the filly’s conditioner.
The only blemish on the filly’s record is a sixth place finish in a $20,000 elimination of the Merrie Annabelle on July 30 at the Meadowlands.
“It wasn’t her fault,” the 47-year-old Campbell said. “She tied up that night and just wasn’t herself.”
Chris Gooden photo
Fashion Feline has four wins in five lifetime starts, with earnings of $103,387.
Ever since her trainer placed a harness upon her back, Fashion Feline has been an apt pupil, nearly always on her best behavior, and ready to do whatever is asked of her. Her connections still wondered, however, how she would perform on the racetrack.
“She did everything right from the beginning, so (your) expectations are higher, but you don’t want to get fooled either,” Campbell said. “You hope they all train down with relatively minimal amount of problems and when they get to the races is when they tell you how much quality they have, because speeds comes so much easier to them today, or how much of a racehorse they want to be.
“She is good-gaited, has a good attitude, a nice little burst of speed, and is happy,” he continued. “Since day one, she has just been an ideal filly to be around.”
Her owner/breeder has an additional theory on the filly’s success.
“She is a small filly and is the only one who doesn’t understand that,” said Jules Siegel.
Fashion Feline was piloted by Brian Sears in her first race, but Dave Palone has since grabbed the reins. The 2009 Hall of Fame nominee thinks she could have a bright future.
“She’s very honest, always shows up, loves to do her work and is from a top stable,” he said. “She drives with two fingers, is good from the gate, can come from the hole or race on the lead; whatever you want.
“She has done everything well with the exception of her one start at the Meadowlands, when she tied up, so you have to give her a pass on that one,” Palone continued. “I think she can go with the top fillies beyond the Sire Stakes and I really have high hopes for her.”
Although the filly is heavily staked, her schedule is planned on a race-to-race basis. Campbell said they will probably look at the Goldsmith Maid eliminations, which are this Sunday (August 30) at Harrah’s Chester.
“We are very happy with her and the way she has done everything so far. Hopefully, she will keep progressing.”