Brown leaning toward Cotillion next for Guarana

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Guarana won the Grade 1 Acorn with 53 days between races and Sunday’s Grade 1 Coaching Club American Oaks with 43 days between starts. That’s why when evaluating where to run the undefeated 3-year-old filly next, trainer Chad Brown seems inclined to wait for the Grade 1, $1 million Cotillion Stakes at Parx Racing on Sept. 21.

That would mean most likely skipping the Grade 1 Alabama at 1 1/4 miles here Aug. 17, a race that is 27 days from the CCA Oaks. Moreover, the Cotillion is run at 1 1/16 miles, is worth $400,000 more than the Alabama, and is a Win and You’re In race for the Breeders’ Cup Distaff at Santa Anita.

Brown said he wouldn’t rule out the Alabama but said “giving her more time in between starts makes a lot of sense. By no means is [skipping the Alabama] because I don’t think she can get the mile and a quarter.”

:: Get PPs, Clocker Reports, picks, and more from DRF's Saratoga/Del Mar One-Stop Shop

In the Coaching Club, Guarana handled the 1 1/8 miles, a distance she was trying for the first time, by beating Point of Honor by one length. Guarana ran the distance in 1:49.65 and earned a 92 Beyer Speed Figure.

Point of Honor, who won the Black-Eyed Susan and skipped one-turn races at Belmont such as the Acorn and Mother Goose, will come back in the Alabama, trainer George Weaver said.