LEXINGTON, Ky. – The “Win and You’re In” action shifts to the 2-year-olds Sunday at Woodbine, as the $250,000 Summer (G1) and $250,000 Natalma (G1) will offer automatic starting berths into the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf, and Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf, respectively.
Run at 1-mile, the Summer is expected to draw a deep and talented field looking to sort themselves out on the path to the Juvenile Turf. Casse and Barber will look to close out what could be a big weekend with GRETZKY THE GREAT, who won the local prep, the Aug. 23 Soaring Free Stakes.
The son of 2015 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) winner Nyquist is 2-for-3 lifetime and holds a homecourt edge over a field that figures to be full of invaders. INTO THE SUNRISE and READY TO REPEAT, who were 2-3 respectively in the Soaring Free, could also start, while DOWNLOAD, DRAGON’S BREW, MACLEAN’S POSSE, and SOUPER CLASSY would also warrant a look for the home team, should they run.
Several runners could come from the States, with Mike Rutherford’s homebred AMERICAN MONARCH, a son of 2015 Breeders’ Cup Classic winner American Pharoah, who won his debut Aug. 8 at Saratoga for trainer Bill Mott, high on the list. Peter Brant, Bob LaPenta, and Woodford Racing LLC’s SECRET POTION, a son of Into Mischief who was just a half-length back for trainer Chad Brown, could be a factor. Kent Spellman and Madaket Stables’ NAUTILUS, a Cairo Prince colt who broke his maiden Aug. 22 at Saratoga for trainer Brad Cox, would also rate a player should he run.
Decorated Invader wins the 2019 Summer Stakes
The Natalma, also at 1-mile, also figures to be wide open, with Fipke’s homebred LADY SPEIGHTSPEARE, an impressive debut winner over the turf Aug. 22 for Attfield, eliciting the most promise. The daughter of 2004 Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) winner Speightstown is out of the multiple graded stakes winner Lady Shakespeare, who herself is a full-sister to multiple Grade 1 winner and Woodbine Mile winner Shakespeare, and a half-sister to 2011 Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1) winner Perfect Shirl.
The Wertheimer Brothers’ homebred ALDA won the local prep, the Aug. 23 Catch a Glimpse, by a nose over Hoolie Racing Stable’s DREAMING OF DREW, and was just .17 behind Gretzky the Great’s time. The former, a daughter of Munnings, is 2-for-3 lifetime for trainer Graham Motion, which includes a sharp MSW win at Belmont Park in July. The latter was odds-on in defeat for trainer Barbara Minshall, and the daughter of Point of Entry, who is 1-for-3 lifetime, figures to move up off what was her turf debut. Woodbine-based winners HATMAKER HOLIDAY and REINFORCED would give trainer Josie Carroll a solid 1-2 punch, while ROCKET RELOAD, who impressed getting to the turf in her MSW win Aug. 20 for trainer Mike DePaulo, would add some speed to the race.
The Americans look to have a strong hand, should they send their best, as Shortleaf Stable’s homebred CALDEE aired at Saratoga in her turf debut Aug. 23 for Cox, while Kueber Racing’s EMRO did the same for the barn on debut at Ellis Park Aug. 8. Don Alberto Stable’s homebred INGRASSIA won on debut at Saratoga Aug. 19 for Brown, while Mike Ryan, Jeff Drown, and Team Hanley’s INVINCIBLE GAL (GB) did the same for Motion Aug. 7. LINE DANCING, MONORAIL, PLUM ALI, and SEASONS would all be in with a chance, should they ship up for the “Win and You’re In” Natalma.
Abscond wins the 2019 Natalma Stakes G1
News Release
Photo courtesy of Woodbine
