The Todd Pletcher trained Dreaming of Julia is back in action on Saturday as the 1-2 betting favorite in the $300,000 Mother Goose (G1) at Belmont Park.

The filly earned a 114 Beyer Speed Figure in her 21 ¼ length tour-de-force in the Gulfstream Park Oaks (G2) on March 30, earning a higher speed figure than Orb, Oxbow and Palace Malice earned in their wins in the Triple Crown races.

There was even talk of her taking on the boys in the Kentucky Derby (G1), but her connections elected to run her in the Kentucky Oaks (G1), where she had a troubled trip in a fourth place finish behind another Pletcher filly, Princess of Sylmar paying $79.60.

Her Beyer dropped 21 points in the Oaks, and now handicappers have to decide which filly will show up on Saturday as she takes on four foes that on paper looked overmatched.

Her main rival figures to be Close Hatches (7-2) who is coming off a runner up finish to Midnight Lucky in the Acorn (G1). The filly won her first three career starts including the Gazelle (G2) at Aqueduct on April 6. The Bill Mott trainee will likely have to run a career top to beat the chalk.

Marathon Lady (5-1) is coming off a tough loss in the Black Eyed Susan (G2) at Pimlico. The filly had a clear lead heading for home but was run down by the Bob Baffert trained Fiftyshadesofhay. The Steve Hobby trainee still only has one win, but if she moves forward off her last effort she can be in the mix here.

Toasting (12-1) exits the Black Eyed Susan as well, checking in third and beaten 4 ½ lengths for the runner up spot. The filly was no match for Dreaming of Julia last fall in a third place finish in the Frizette (G1), beaten 10 ¾ lengths, but that was her first go against stakes company.

Completing the field is Sister Slate (20-1), who was a good looking maiden winner on May 3 over the Belmont Park surface, but dueled for the early lead and faded badly against first level optional claimers in her first start against winners on May 26. She comes back here in a real tough spot while adding lasix.

Dreaming of Julia is going to be such a short price we will have to take another stab we can beat her, and Marathon Lady looks like the best option if she goes off near her 5-1 morning line.

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