Sophomore Fillies Face Tough 'Test'

A competitive field of seven sophomore fillies headlined by the GI Kentucky Oaks winner are set to line up for Saratoga's GI Test S. Saturday. Victorious in the GII Rachel Alexandra S. in February, Serengeti Empress (Alternation) finished off the board after bleeding badly during the GII Fair Grounds Oaks Mar. 23. She rebounded with a front-running victory in the Kentucky Oaks May 3 and was second last out in Belmont's June 8 GI Acorn S. behind 'TDN Rising Star' Guarana (Ghostzapper), who repeated with a win in the GI CCA Oaks.

“She has done very well over the track and the cut back in distance isn't a concern based on her last performance,” trainer Tom Amoss said. “She was challenged hard early in that race and she was able to sustain that challenge. There is a lot of speed in the race and that's the way it is, but I'm going to rely on her class and her speed associated with that class, and let her do that job.”

The undefeated Royal Charlotte (Cairo Prince) makes her first attempt in Grade I company here. A debut winner at Gulfstream Mar. 16, the gray followed suit with an optional claimer score at Keeneland Apr. 19 and won Monmouth Park's Hystericalady S. May 27. She enters off a decisive score in Belmont's GIII Victory Ride S. July 5.

Covfefe (Into Mischief) has given the impression she could compete at the top level and looks to break through in Grade I company in this spot. Opening this term with an optional claimer score at Keeneland Apr. 6, the flashy bay followed suit with a sizzling score in the GIII Adena Springs Miss Preakness S. May 17. She was third last time behind GISW Mia Mischief (Into Mischief) in Churchill's Roxelana S. June 22.

Bellafina (Quality Road) dominated the 3-year-old filly division earlier this term, reeling off impressive wins in the Jan. 6 GII Santa Ynez S., Feb. 9 GII Las Virgenes S. and Apr. 6 GI Santa Anita Oaks. Favored heading into the Kentucky Oaks, she made a late bid, but weakened and could only manage fifth. The bay could be a force here with the cutback in trip.

“We made the decision after the Oaks to freshen her up and give her some time off,” conditioner Simon Callaghan said. “We didn't really want to rush back in the Acorn, and just felt it was the right time to give her a break and hopefully comes back fresh and ready to fire in this race.”