Belmont Park notes: Princess of Sylmar likely for Breeders' Cup Distaff

ELMONT, N.Y. – While her connections were not prepared to make it official Saturday, all indications are that Princess of Sylmar is headed to the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Distaff at Santa Anita on Nov. 1.

With owner Ed Stanco in attendance at Belmont Park on Saturday, Princess of Sylmar worked a half-mile in 49.79 seconds over the training track. She started about two lengths behind workmate Street Thug and finished a head in front, getting her final quarter in 24.72. Princess of Sylmar galloped out five furlongs in 1:02.78, six furlongs in 1:15.82, and pulled up seven furlongs in 1:31.33.

Later, Stanco said by phone, “I’m hopeful we’ll be going” to the Breeders’ Cup. That was a far cry from Stanco’s stance following Princess of Sylmar’s upset victory over Royal Delta in the Beldame Invitational – her fourth consecutive Grade 1 win – when he said the filly most likely would not run again this year and would be aimed at a 4-year-old campaign.

However, based on positive reports from trainer Todd Pletcher about how well the filly continues to train, Stanco seems willing to put up the $100,000 supplemental fee to make Princess of Sylmar eligible for the Breeders’ Cup.

“As long as it looks like she wants to go again,” Stanco said. “There’s nothing to indicate she doesn’t.”

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Pletcher called the work “what we’ve come to expect” from Princess of Sylmar and said he’s seen no reason to stop on her. He also said he saw no reason to make a decision regarding the Breeders’ Cup until after she breezes again next weekend. Pre-entries are due Oct. 21 and will be announced Oct. 23.

“She continues to do well,” Pletcher said. “Ed had some reservations about running her, so because of that, we’re going to look at it very closely. I’m going to work her back next week, and then we’ll decide.”

Princess of Sylmar was one of three potential Distaff candidates – and 10 possible Breeders’ Cup starters overall – to breeze Saturday over three different surfaces at Belmont Park. Two-time defending Distaff winner Royal Delta went a half-mile in 46.41 shortly before 7 a.m., while her stablemate, the 3-year-old filly Close Hatches, went the same distance in 47.80 following the renovation break.

Royal Delta, in her first breeze since the Beldame, had a good run up to the pole, which might have resulted in her opening quarter going in 22.67. Exercise rider Rodolphe Brisset had a good hold of the mare through the lane as she got her final quarter in 23.74.

“We’re letting her do it,” trainer Bill Mott said. “That’s steadying her but not pulling her in two. I saw a good work this morning. When she’s worked well, she’s run well.”

About two hours later, Close Hatches, also under Brisset, worked a half-mile, though she went a quick opening quarter of 23.76.

“She looked like she was doing it easy enough,” Mott said.

Ron the Greek, the Jockey Club Gold Cup winner trained by Mott, worked right after Close Hatches and went a half-mile in 47.13 over the main track, with a final quarter in 24.04. He galloped out five furlongs in 1:00.43.

“That’s big for him,” Mott said, noting that Ron the Greek usually does not work fast. “Interesting that he worked that well.”

Slumber worked five furlongs in 1:00.48 over the Belmont inner turf. He worked in company with the 3-year-old stakes winner Dysprosium, recently transferred to Mott by owner Donald Dizney. Mott is hoping that Slumber, fourth in the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Invitational, can make it into the BC Turf field.

In other works for the Breeders’ Cup:

◗ Verrazano, the Wood Memorial and Haskell Invitational winner, worked five furlongs in 1:01.08 in company with Capo Bastone, the King’s Bishop winner, over the training track. The two were basically together, with Verrazano on the inside throughout and the pair getting its final quarter in 24.68. They galloped out as a team through seven furlongs in 1:28.72. Verrazano is pointing to the Dirt Mile, while Capo Bastone is headed for the Turf Sprint.

◗ The Lumber Guy was the first Breeders’ Cup horse to work, going an easy half-mile in 51.87 over the training track in the dark. Trainer Mike Hushion said he purposely worked in the dark in an attempt to get a slower work, as he felt the horse breezed too fast leading up to the Vosburgh, in which he finished last.

“Most horses will work slower in the dark,” Hushion said. “Most riders will misjudge on the slow side.”

◗ Easter Gift and Last Gunfighter, a pair of Chad Brown-trained horses who are possible for the Dirt Mile, worked a half-mile in company in 48.29 over the main track. Joel Rosario was aboard Easter Gift.