Artemis Agrotera targets BC Filly and Mare Sprint

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – The most authoritative victory on Saturday's Travers Day card belonged to the 3-year-old filly Artemis Agrotera, who defeated older rivals in the Grade 1 Ballerina by 6 1/2 lengths.

Artemis Agrotera kept the front-running La Verdad in her sights early in the seven-furlong Ballerina, took command in upper stretch, and powered home as much the best. She was in front through six furlongs in 1:09.64 and completed the course in 1:21.89, getting her final eighth in 12.25 seconds while geared down by jockey Rajiv Maragh. She earned a career-best Beyer Speed Figure of 103.

On Sunday, trainer Mike Hushion said he would point Artemis Agrotera to the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint at Santa Anita on Nov. 1. She has a fees-paid berth since the Ballerina was a Win and You're In race.

The question is what to do between now and then?

"I've always thought she'd run as far as you want, but right now, it might be best to keep her sprinting and look toward the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint," Hushion said. "What to do with her between now and the Breeders' Cup is going to take a lot of thought. We have two months to the Breeders' Cup, time for one more race, or not. She ran her guts out yesterday."

The Ballerina was Artemis Agrotera's second straight win over older horses. She won a New York-bred second-level optional claimer at seven furlongs here July 23.

"I think this is the time of year for 3-year-olds to try the older horses," Hushion said. "The 3-year-olds catch up with many of them around now. And at this time of year, the older horses might be a bit beat up."

Artemis Agrotera is the first 3-year-old to win the Ballerina since Dream Supreme in 2000. Only three other 3-year-olds have won the race since its first running in 1979: Pearl City (1997), Lady's Secret (1985), and Blitey in the inaugural running.

Artemis Agrotera is 4 for 6 in her career. She is 3 for 3 at Saratoga, with her other victory coming in the Grade 1 Frizette over Sweet Reason last October at Belmont Park.

All three of her Saratoga wins have been blowouts. In addition to the Ballerina, she won her maiden first time out by 11 3/4 lengths last August, and the margin of her July allowance win was 10 1/4 lengths.

Her two losses came in her 2-year-old finale, the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies, and her 3-year-old debut, the Grade 1 Acorn.