Down The Stretch They Go

As expected, 30-1 longshot Dionne Walters was eliminated from the America's Top Model field last night. The statuesque Walters might yet have a promising career as an older filly, but at this stage of the game, she lacks versatility and experience. The former shortcoming is likely to doom 12-1 shot Jaslene Gonzalez in the final round of three (aka, the Melbourne Distaff) this coming Wednesday night. Gonzalez, who has a great attitude to atone for her obvious lack of raw intellect, was assailed by the judges last night for only having "one look." It's a good look, to be sure, but Gonzalez needs to prove she can win another way -- and it's a little late for a strategy shift.

4-1 shot Renee Alway cemented her pacesetter status by proving that she could pull off a more high fashion look last night in her Aboriginal posing session. Whether this performance will render Tyra's "too commercial" critique moot is a dicey wager at this point. We're betting it won't once the field is narrowed to two, thus making Alway the Hard Spun of the pack. But man, did our favorite, Natasha Galkina, make us sweat last night, falling ill by virtue of stupidly traversing the cold Aussie bush in high heels. So stricken was Galkina that she couldn't bring it to the shoot, thus regressing badly to early-season form and landing a surprise spot on the chopping block at episode's end.

But remember, young fillies typically regress before reaching new heights. And fortunately for Natasha, her regression occurred just before Distaff Day. At full strength, we still think this Russkie has the talent to nip Alway at the wire. Alway, who's mounted a nearly perfect campaign to date, has not only been called out for being "too commercial," but was flagged for not being "that young, fresh face" that supposedly matters most in this competition. Galkina is that face. If she can return to form, she's still got the look of a winner.