America to stay in training in 2015

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – America, who won her first stakes race Thursday, will stay in training throughout 2015, trainer Bill Mott said Friday.

After losing her previous eight stakes attempts, America got up to edge Penwith by a nose in Thursday’s $100,000 Affectionately Stakes. It was her third consecutive victory, and she earned a career-best Beyer Speed Figure of 88.

Mott, who trains America for celebrity chef Bobby Flay, said he wasn’t sure if America would get a break or run in the $100,000 Ladies Handicap here Jan. 31.

“We need to see how she comes back,” Mott said by phone from south Florida. “She probably needs a little break somewhere along the line. If she’s doing real well at the end of the month, we’ll take a look at that race.”

Mott said he was happy to see America sustain her run. In the past, she would run until the far turn, drop back, and try to make a second run.

“She seems to have plenty of stamina. It wasn’t a case of her ever tiring and backing up,” Mott said.