Five of the fillies Broadway Run defeated in the $100,000 Coronation Cup at Saratoga on July 30 are back to test her again in Friday’s $100,000 Christiecat Stakes, but it may be a couple of fresh faces her connections need to worry about in the six-furlong turf stakes for 3-year-old fillies, which tops Belmont Park’s opening-day card.
Belmont’s fall meet begins Friday and has 36 scheduled programs through Oct. 28. Post time on Friday, and most days, will be 1:30 p.m. Eastern.
With Luis Saez utilizing her speed out of post 10, Broadway Run won the Coronation Cup by three-quarters of a length on the front end, her second win from three starts.
Trainer John Terranova is confident she can be effective from off the pace as well.
Terranova said Broadway Run has speed “if you need it.”
“If you want to let her relax, she’ll do anything for you,” he said. “I think she can adjust in these shorter races easily.”
Broadway Run breaks from post 3 under Saez in the Christiecat, run over the inner turf course.
Ten were entered for the turf, but on Wednesday trainer Mike Stidham said Streetlady would scratch owing to having recently undergone throat surgery to repair an entrapped epiglottis.
Of the five horses in this field whom Broadway Run defeated in the Coronation Cup, Closer Still had the most difficult trip, steadying back to last entering the far turn under Julien Leparoux before rallying to finish fifth.
Two new faces Broadway Run meets are Miz Mayhem and Kitten’s Covergirl. Miz Mayhem has won five consecutive races, including a trio of turf-sprint stakes. Trained previously by Eddie Plesa Jr. for his wife, Laurie, Miz Mayhem will start Friday in the name of trainer Jason Servis, Laurie Plesa’s brother.
Kitten’s Covergirl went 2 for 2 over Belmont’s turf during the summer meet after Pat Reynolds claimed her for $40,000 out of a neck loss going this distance in May.
There is a 50 percent chance of thunderstorms Thursday night into Friday morning.
KEY CONTENDERS
Broadway Run, by Prospective
Last 3 Beyers: 86-82-81
◗ Won her debut at odds of 50-1 here on May 5, running six furlongs in 1:07.90.
◗ Beaten a half-length by Mominou going seven furlongs in an allowance race before coming back to beat that horse and four others in this field in the Coronation Cup.
Miz Mayhem, by Yesbyjimminy
Last 3 Beyers: 83-89-88
◗ Reeled off five consecutive wins in turf sprints from five furlongs to 5 1/2 furlongs from Feb. 23 through July 7. Hard to believe six furlongs would be an issue.
◗ Goes out for the first time for Servis, who is 19 for 52 with a $3.10 ROI over the last three years when running a horse for the first time after a trainer switch.
Closer Still, by So You Think
Last 3 Beyers: 74-58-79
◗ Showed some late interest when rallying from last after being forced to check entering the far turn under Leparoux in the Coronation Cup. Gets a rider switch to John Velazquez.
This story originally appeared on DRF.com.
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