Roar Emotion Kicks Off 3-Year-Old Campaign In Cicada
By: Jenny Kellner

OZONE PARK, N.Y. (Mar. 20, 2003) - When last seen in New York, Roar Emotion was barreling to a two-length victory in the 1 1/8th mile Demoiselle Stakes (GII) under John Velazquez to close out her 2-year-old campaign. It was the second victory in three starts for the Joe Allen-owned filly, who broke her maiden by 10 ½ lengths on Sept. 22 at Belmont, and then finished second at 1-10 on Oct. 18 after stumbling at the start.

Vindicated in the November 30 Demoiselle, Roar Emotion was given a well-earned two-month vacation.

She returned to training in February with the Mar. 22 $100,000 Cicada Stakes (GIII) tabbed as her 3-year-old debut. The endless winter in New York may have been depressing for residents, but didn't faze her in the least. Roar Emotion breezed three furlongs in her return on Feb. 6 and has been working steadily since, with her main objective the May 2 Kentucky Oaks (GI).

First, there is the matter of Saturday's seven-furlong Cicada, in which she will break from post one. While she has been training forwardly, Roar Emotion still will be making her first start in four months. And as Velazquez will be out of town, she will be ridden by substitute jockey Richard Migliore. Additionally, Carlos Martin, who supervised her all winter, has taken over training duties for his father, Jose.

Still, only a handful of fillies will challenge her in the Cicada, including Southern Smoke, winner of an allowance in her 2003 debut; Boxer Girl, winner of her last three starts at seven furlongs at Laurel; Cyber Secret, winner of the Busanda Stakes in January; Leniently, trained by Carlos' uncle, Greg Martin and winner of an allowance at Aqueduct last month, and Ladyecho, winner of the Marshua at Laurel and the Dearly Precious at Aqueduct in her last two starts. Ladyecho is 4-for-5 at six furlongs, but winless around two turns. The Cicada, however, will be run on the main track, which finally was to open March 21.

Southern Smoke, a daughter of Smoke Glacken, was an impressive winner of her debut at the Meadowlands last fall, but then failed in two stakes, the Astarita and The Debutante at Hoosier Park. In her first start as a 3-year-old, she came from behind to win an entry-level allowance.

"We were just trying to get her stakes-placed last year," said trainer Kelly Breen. "I know she's of that quality. It's just a matter of finding the right time and spot. We thought running her in an allowance (instead of the Dearly Precious) would help get her confidence up. She did everything we asked her to."

Southern Smoke will be ridden by Abdiel Toribio from post six in the Cicada, with Cyber Secret leaving from post two under Shaun Bridgmohan, Boxer Girl from post three with Oliver Castillo up, and Lady Echo leaving from post four under Stewart Elliot.

Jenny Kellner is one of the most respected, multi-faceted journalists in New York. She served as the New York Islanders beat writer for the New York Times and has covered Thoroughbred horse racing and professional football for several major publications in the Big Apple and beyond. She is a frequent contributor to a myriad of Thoroughbred racing trade publications and has covered numerous Kentucky Derbys and Breeders' Cups. .

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