Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf Analysis
by GLEN GALLIVANWire To Wire Racing Editor
At the beginning of the season, Coretta had to be considered among the top female turf runners in the country. After her victory in the Orchard Handicap (G2) at Gulfstream Park earlier this year, there was a lot of talk about her being the horse to beat in the new Filly & Mare Turf Breeders' Cup race. But those dreams were sidetracked when she slipped and fell over the Hialeah sod in April. The 5-year-old daughter of Caerleon was given a four-month vacation after the spill in an attempt to help her recapture her brilliant form.
Her trainer Christophe Clement has clearly taken it slow with his star mare, not wanting to rush the process. If you push these fragile creatures too hard it'll often leads to a drastic result. Clement has earned the reputation for being an excellent turf trainer, and the slow route to her recovery seems to be another wise move.
Coretta's had two starts since the mishap and has run respectably each time, while showing positive signs of improvement. In her last outing she had the lead at the top of the stretch and gamely battled a determined Soaring Softly. The Filly & Mare Turf race will be her third start off the layoff and she should be ready to give top performance. She wasn't able to hold off her rival that day, crossing the finish a length back. Nevertheless she put in a solid effort that should set her up perfectly for the Cup.
The distance of this affair shouldn't present a problem for the Irish-bred even though she been unsuccessful in her only two tries going it. In her first attempt she's narrowly lost by a neck in her North America debut. Then she was simply overmatched against a field of male runners in her second effort at traveling 11 furlongs. She does own a victory going 1 1/2-miles, so this really isn't a major concern.
Her tactical speed should also give her a decisive advantage over this field. She possesses a quick enough turn of foot to stay within striking distance of the leaders, yet she's shown the ability to wait behind the front-runners. The two likely favorites, Soaring Softly and Caffe Latte, are both deep closers and they'll have to weave their way through traffic while Coretta should have a better chance of getting a clear path.
Jose Santos will be piloting her over the Hallandale inner course and he is one of my main men on turf. Santos might not have the reputation of being among the elite jockeys, but if you closely watch him you'll notice that he gives his mounts perfectly timed rides on the grass.
 Soaring Softly |
Glenners Picks: Coretta, Perfect Sting and Soaring Softly
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