Aqueduct: Princess of Sylmar will tune up in Cat Cay

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Princess of Sylmar, the four-time Grade 1 stakes-winning 3-year-old filly of 2013, will begin her 4-year-old campaign Sunday in the $100,000 Cat Cay Stakes at Aqueduct.

The Cat Cay, a one-turn, one-mile race, is expected to be used by Princess of Sylmar as a stepping-stone to the Grade 1, $1 million Ogden Phipps at Belmont Park on June 7 and a possible rematch with Beholder, who soundly defeated Princess of Sylmar in last November’s Breeders’ Cup Distaff to clinch the 3-year-old filly championship.

Before her last-place finish in the Distaff, Princess of Sylmar won the Kentucky Oaks – beating Beholder – Coaching Club American Oaks, Alabama, and Beldame Invitational. Coincidentally, Princess of Sylmar’s lone loss over the four New York Racing Association dirt surfaces was in the Grade 2 Gazelle over Aqueduct’s main track, where she was beaten 3 1/4 lengths by Close Hatches.

Princess of Sylmar wintered in south Florida, working several times at Palm Meadows before shipping to New York in mid-March and posting two workouts over Belmont’s training track.

“We’re excited about getting her started again,” said Todd Pletcher, who trains Princess of Sylmar for Ed Stanco’s King of Prussia Stable. “She’s doing well. The freshening seemed to have accomplished what we wanted – she’s matured and gained some weight. She’s training as well as she always has.”

Javier Castellano will ride Princess of Sylmar from post 3.

The Cat Cay also drew stakes winners Wedding Toast and Montana Native.

Wedding Toast, trained by Kiaran McLaughlin, won the last four races of her 3-year-old season, including the Grade 3 Comely at 1 1/8 miles over the main track. She will break from post 6 under Jose Lezcano.

Montana Native won the Remington Park Oaks last September when in the barn of Ken McPeek. Purchased at auction by Castleton Lyons, Montana Native was turned over to Christophe Clement. She finished third in the Wayward Lass at Tampa Bay Downs in her lone start this year.

Others entered include Highestmaintenance, Villette, and Flash Forward.