Hailing from the Ben Perkins Jr. barn is the likely favorite in the six furlong contest, Love That Dance, who has very good early foot. Coming from the Tony Wilson camp is No Mo Magic, a filly that is likely to be following Love That Dance early before coming after that foe in the lane for the winner's share of the $60,000 purse.
The referenced breeze was a :50 2/5 four furlongs at Monmouth on November 1. Two weeks before that No Mo Magic finished third in an entry-level allowance against open company. She broke her maiden on August 31 at Monmouth.
"This filly is pretty quick and she showed that last out," said Perkins of his charge, Love That Dance. "We were disappointed with her race in the Colleen and then at Laurel, but last out was what we were looking for."
Love That Dance began her career at Monmouth on June 25, crossing the wire first, but subsequently disqualified to second. She came back to break her maiden next out and then ran fourth in the Colleen. In the Laurel race she was second, beaten less than a length as the 1-5 favorite, before coming back to a dominating win at the Big M on October 18 - the same race that saw No Mo Magic finish third.
With some good-natured back-and-forth at the racing office on Wednesday, Wilson informed Perkins that on Friday night he would turn the tables. Perkins responded with a smile and a quick "we'll see."
The field for the fillies division of the New Jersey Juvenile, with rider and weight assignments, is:
1. East Monsta, Pedro Cotto Jr., 116
2. American Romance, Chris DeCarlo, 116
3. Seeking Glory, Eddie Castro, 116
4. No Mo Magic, Daniel Centeno, 116
5. Easley Amused, Luis Rivera Jr., 114
6. Whataretheodds, Jose Lezcano, 116
7. Love That Dance, Joe Bravo, 118
8. Heartsforeverfire, Felix Ortiz, 116