Ami's Mesa getting winter break in Florida

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Ami’s Mesa, second in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint, is getting a break and will join trainer Josie Carroll’s string at Palm Meadows Training Center in Florida in the new year.

“She’s turned out at Wavertree Farm in Ocala,” Carroll said. “She’s going to spend about six to eight weeks turned out.”

After starting from the outside in the 14-horse field in the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint at Del Mar on Nov. 4, Ami’s Mesa held the lead in deep stretch, but was caught in the final strides by Bar of Gold.

“She’s a tremendous filly,” Carroll said. “We were so happy with her. She overcame a tough post and gave it everything she had. That’s all you can ask.”

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Ami’s Mesa had won her previous four starts heading into the Breeders’ Cup, including the Grade 3 Ontario Matron Stakes and Grade 3 Seaway Stakes at Woodbine. She also won the Grade 2 Presque Isle Downs Masters Stakes, setting a track record there.

Four of Ami’s Mesa’s five starts this year came in sprints, but she also won the Grade 3 Ontario Matron Stakes over 1 1/16-miles at Woodbine. Carroll had said that she may want to stretch Ami’s Mesa out at some point, but it’s likely the daughter of Sky Mesa will remain sprinting for the foreseeable future.

“Right now, she’s doing so well sprinting that I don’t think we need to make any changes as long as she’s running well doing what she’s doing,” Carroll said.

Carroll added that Ami’s Mesa would likely make her first start of her 2018 campaign towards the end of the Gulfstream Championship meet, or at Keeneland in April.