Photo by NYRA/Coglianese Photos/Adam Mosshian
NYRA Press Release: Grade 1 Acorn winner Carina Mia is confirmed to take on the undefeated Songbird in the Grade 1, $500,000 Coaching Club American Oaks on July 24 at Saratoga Race Course, Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott said following the filly’s latest workout this weekend.
“She’s doing well,” he said. “She raced well and came out of her race last time good, so we plan on going to the Coaching Club American Oaks with her.”
The Malibu Moon filly, owned by Three Chimneys Farm, breezed a half-mile over Saratoga’s Oklahoma training track Friday morning, covering the distance in 48.99 seconds, the third fastest of 38.
In addition to the Acorn on June 11 at Belmont Park, Carina Mia has won four of her six career starts, including Grade 2 victories in the Golden Rod last fall and the Eight Belles on May 6 at Churchill Downs.
Meanwhile, Grade 1 Longines Just a Game heroine Celestine has done fine since her dominant 3 ¾-length victory on Belmont Stakes Day, Mott said, adding that the 4-year-old Scat Daddy filly is “not 100% certain” to return in the Grade 1, $500,000 Diana on July 23.
“She’s had one work and she’s been doing OK,” he reported. “I’m undecided right now about the Diana. We just might want to give her a little bit more time.”
Lady Lara has trained forwardly since her fourth-place finish in the Just a Game, said Mott, and is an “outside possibility” for the Diana.
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