Cicatrix is a filly to watch

Following a superb 7 1/4-length debut win in front-running fashion, the Ian Wilkes-trained CICATRIX moved her mark to a perfect two-for-two with a measured tally in the Glitter Woman S. at Gulfstream Park on Saturday. The dark bay daughter of Violence was beaten to the lead early and tracked in between runners for much of this six-furlong dash, unlike when the three-year-old led at every call in her first outing.

Under steady handling from repeat pilot Julien Leparoux, the Kentucky-bred advanced in early stretch to take the lead and held off a late rush to win by a half-length in her stakes bow. In my opinion, no one was getting past the $85,000 Keeneland November weanling purchase, and her gallop out was great as she gave the impression of a filly who would relish some additional ground with which to work.

The pedigree of this filly is not filled with black-type in the first two dams, though her second dam is a half-sister to Grade 1 winners Another Review and No Review. Also, with the names Medaglia d’Oro, Gone West, A.P. Indy and Pleasant Colony on her page, one would have to assume that she will get better with more seasoning and additional distance.

Cicatrix has a ways to go to be mentioned with the best of her division at this juncture with just a pair of six-furlong races under her belt, earning 89 and 90 BRIS Speed figures to date. But the lass is in the right hands to develop with Wilkes, passes the eye test to me and clearly likes Churchill Downs, where she broke her maiden.

I am very much looking forward to seeing Cicatrix try a route of ground in the near future this campaign, and if she excels like I fully expect her to, the sophomore will be high on my Kentucky Oaks (G1) list.