Sentiero Italio (dark blue colors in the middle of the picture) finishing third in the Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup Stakes (gr. I) at Keeneland – Keeneland Photo
According to the Belmont Park Notes for October 16th, trainer Kiaran McLaughlin has confirmed that the talented three-year-old filly Sentiero Italia will start in the $2,000,000 Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint, although Tamarkuz–winner of the Godolphin Mile (UAE-II) in March–will pass on a start in the $1,000,000 Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (gr. I).
Last time out, Tamarkuz finished fourth in the October 3rd Kelso Handicap (gr. II) at Belmont Park, and while it was a solid effort, it wasn’t enough to earn him a spot in the Breeders’ Cup. Sentiero Italia is also coming off a defeat, having finished third as the favorite in the October 10th Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup (gr. I) at Keeneland, but her two graded stakes victories before that stamped her as a contender for the Filly & Mare Turf.
“Sentiero Italia is back up at Greentree and looked happy and in good shape this morning.” McLaughlin was quoted as saying. “We’ll let her stretch her legs soon. She doesn’t need much, she’s fit and ready.”
McLaughlin also spoke highly of Frosted, who breezed five furlongs in :59 flat on Friday morning (click here to watch a video of the workout.) “He worked great,” McLaughlin said. “He couldn’t have gone better in 59 flat and up [six furlongs] in 1:12. We’re excited.”
“We wanted a good work this week,” McLaughlin added. “He’s put weight on since the Pennsylvania Derby. We were looking for something fast and next week he’ll go [four furlongs] in 48 or 49.”
McLaughlin will start two other horses in the Breeders’ Cup, those being likely Distaff (gr. I) favorite Wedding Toast and Filly & Mare Sprint (gr. I) contender Cavorting. On Thursday, Wedding Toast breezed four furlongs in an easy :49 3/5 at the Greentree Training Center. “She came out in great shape and looked great this morning,” McLaughlin said. “We didn’t want too much from her because she’s been going all year. We’ll work her again on Thursday and just try to keep her happy and healthy.”
Cavorting was also on the Thursday work tab, breezing a half-mile in :49.54 over the Belmont training track. “The pony let her go a little bit early and she was pulled up a little quick, but we were happy with the way she trained,” McLaughlin said of Cavorting.
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