Brown sends formidable-looking pair in Lake Placid
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – There was a surprising lack of interest when entries closed for Saturday’s $300,000 Lake Placid, with just six 3-year-old fillies entered for the Grade 2 event. Only five or fewer will start if the race goes as scheduled at 1 1/8 miles on the turf.
One good reason for the compact lineup could be the presence of Grade 1 winner Minorette, who rallied for a two-length victory in the Belmont Oaks in her most recent start. She will be joined in the Lake Placid by her stablemate Xcellence, who finished fourth in the 1 1/4-mile Oaks. Both Minorette and Xcellence are trained by Chad Brown.
Xcellence was turned over to Brown by trainer Francois Doumen after making her U.S. bow in the Oaks.
“Obviously I know Minorette a little better because she’s been in our barn all along,” Brown said. “I thought she ran terrific in her last star – she ran to her training. The other filly looked like she ran a good race, came to me in great shape, and has fit into our program nicely. I’m really looking forward to getting her started with us.”
Trainer Bill Mott will counter the Brown duo with Crown Queen, who has progressed steadily while winning her last two starts, including a first-level allowance race in impressive fashion here at Saratoga four weeks earlier. She makes her stakes debut in the Lake Placid.
“She’s been quite impressive in her last two races,” Mott said.
Citing Crown Queen’s four-length win in a 1 3/16-mile allowance race last out, Mott said, “She’s pretty much proved she can get the distance, but it’s a big jump up.”
Duff One, who is likely to set the pace breaking from the rail, and V V Goodnight complete the field. My Miss Sophia was entered for the main track only by trainer Todd Pletcher.
KEY CONTENDERS
Minorette (Last 3 Beyers: 92-89-91)
◗ She is the only Grade 1 winner in the field and also owns the top turf Beyer.
◗ She figures to be close to the lead throughout in a field lacking in early speed.
◗ Brown said she and stablemate Xcellence “are capable of placing themselves according to the pace.”
Xcellence (Beyer: 85)
◗ She will race on Lasix for the first time. According to DRF Formulator, Brown has won with 12 of 39 starters (31 percent) getting Lasix for the first time, with a $2.20 return on investment.
◗ She has never raced at 1 1/8 miles, but according to Brown, “should have no problem handling the distance.”
Crown Queen (Last 3 Beyers: 91-78-66)
◗ She was “well in hand and just floating” over the Oklahoma turf on Aug. 3, according to the DRF Clocker Report.
◗ The lack of pace in the field could be a concern for this late-running filly. Mott said, “She can quicken, but can she quicken off a slow pace, that’s the question.”