Belmont Oaks summer objective for Madone

ARCADIA, Calif. – Madone has had five starts, all at a mile on turf, and is already a three-time stakes winner.

The distance does not define the 3-year-old filly’s ability from trainer Simon Callaghan’s perspective.

Madone won her 2021 debut in the Grade 3 Senorita Stakes at Santa Anita on Saturday, but will be given a loftier target in the Grade 1 Belmont Oaks on July 10. The $700,000 Belmont Oaks is run at 1 1/4 miles for 3-year-old fillies on turf, a race within Madone’s ability, Callaghan said.

“I think she’ll be better going farther,” Callaghan said on Sunday. “She’s never had a chance to do it.”

Owned by Kaleem Shah, Madone closed from fifth in the Senorita Stakes to take the lead in the final furlong. Last year, Madone won her first three starts, including stakes at Del Mar and Santa Anita, and was eighth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf at Keeneland in November. After that race, Madone underwent surgery to have a bone chip removed from an ankle.

:: Enhance your handicapping with DRF’s Santa Anita Clocker Report

Madone is likely to have another start before the Belmont Oaks, possibly in the Grade 3 Honeymoon Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at 1 1/8 miles on turf on May 22.

“Maybe we run back quick in the Honeymoon and have good spacing” to the Belmont Oaks, Callaghan said. “We’ll see how she comes out of it. There are some options in between.”