After finishing a valiant second behind the mighty Songbird (Medaglia d'Oro) in the 1 1/8-mile GI Coaching Club American Oaks, Carina Mia (Malibu Moon), cuts back in distance and faces her elders for the first time in Saturday's GI Ballerina S. at the Spa, a “Win and You're In” event for the GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint.
Three Chimneys Farm's 'TDN Rising Star' posted a pair of sensational victories going one turn against fellow sophomores in Churchill's GII Eight Belles S. May 6 and Belmont's GI Acorn S. June 11 prior to taking her best swing and finishing 5 1/4 lengths adrift last term's unbeaten champion 2-year-old filly at the Spa July 24.
“She's doing fine,” said Hall of Famer Bill Mott, who was inducted into Saratoga's Walk of Fame Friday. “Her last race was a good effort and she ran a good race and came out of the Coaching Club in good order.”
Wavell Avenue (Harlington), upset winner of last term's Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint at Keeneland, ended a three-race losing streak with a popular come-from-behind win over the track-and-trip Shine Again S. Aug. 3. A wide trip and slow early pace certainly didn't do her any favors when completing the exacta behind GISW By the Moon (Indian Charlie) in the GIII Bed O'Roses H. in her previous attempt at Belmont June 25.
“I'm glad this race is included in the Breeders' Cup program and we're excited about running her on Saturday,” trainer Chad Brown said. “She's doing really well coming into this race. She had a local prep over the track and ran well. She's come back and breezed since and has been spectacular. She seems to be pretty sharp around the barn and I think she's ready to run a big one.”
Sheer Drama (Burning Roma) seeks her second Grade I victory at the Spa after recording a tally in the 1 1/8-mile GI Personal Ensign S. last year. An 8-1 upset winner of Keeneland's GI Madison S. at this distance in April with Wavell Avenue back in third, the Harold Queen homebred enters off a well-beaten third as the 4-5 chalk in the GI La Troienne S. May 6 and a fifth-place finish after a wide journey in the GI Ogden Phipps S. June 11.
“The last couple of times she ran going longer, she didn't have that kick she had in that seven-eighths race,” trainer David Fawkes commented. “I think this is a good opportunity to turn back.”
The Ballerina will also feature a rematch of Paulassilverlining (Ghostzapper) and Haveyougoneaway (Congrats), separated by a neck in the GII Honorable Miss H. at Saratoga July 27.
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