Del Mar: Let's Go Cheyenne should relish distance of CTT and TOC Handicap

DEL MAR, Calif. – The $85,000 California Thoroughbred Trainers and Thoroughbred Owners of California Handicap at Del Mar on Friday may be an ideal race for Let’s Go Cheyenne’s stakes debut.

A well-bred 4-year-old filly, Let’s Go Cheyenne has won twice in eight starts and will be making her first start at 1 3/8 miles on turf.

The distance will not be an issue, trainer Vladimir Cerin said.

“I’ve always thought the longer, the better,” Cerin said. “Here’s an opportunity.”

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Owned by Southern Comfort Stable, Let’s Go Cheyenne will face a test in the CTT and TOC Handicap, the sixth race on a seven-race program that begins at 4 p.m. Pacific. The field includes Quaintly, who was third in the Grade 3 Beverly Hills Handicap at Betfair Hollywood Park on June 24, and Left a Message, who was sixth in the Grade 1 American Oaks there on July 14.

Let’s Go Cheyenne has not raced beyond 1 1/8 miles, winning an allowance race at that distance at Santa Anita on April 4. She was second in an optional claimer at Hollywood Park on May 3, her most recent start. She had a rest in the spring by necessity.

“She was a little body sore, but she’s doing good now,” Cerin said.

In recent weeks, Let’s Go Cheyenne has worked quickly, including seven furlongs in 1:26.80 on Aug. 17. Jockey Joe Talamo, who has the mount on Friday, was aboard for the workout.

“Joe has worked her the last couple of times and she’s finished her works quite well,” Cerin said. “She went the last quarter in 24.”

The CTT and TOC Handicap drew a field of seven. Let’s Go Cheyenne is likely to set the pace, although Quaintly runs close to the pace.

Trained by Patrick Biancone, Quaintly is winless in five starts in this country. She lost two stakes to the older male Dhaamer at Hollywood Park, finishing second in the Round Table Stakes in May and third in the Grade 3 Sunset Handicap in July. Dhaamer starts in Saturday’s $200,000 Del Mar Handicap.

Quaintly was fifth of eight in the Grade 1 Clement Hirsch Stakes on the Polytrack surface here on Aug. 4, the only time she has not run on turf this year. The move back to turf will be in her favor, Biancone said.

“She loves distance,” Biancone said. “She seems like she will be the favorite. She’s in good form.”