Cable faces tough field in return to turf
ELMONT, N.Y. - Cable, who began her career with two electrifying stretch runs last summer, returns Thursday in what has come up the toughest second-level allowance of the meet for fillies and mares on turf.
The $48,000 allowance, carded as race 8 and scheduled for 1 1/16 miles on the Widener course, also attracted the Juddmonte Farms entry of Solo Piano and Treat Gently, the latter a Group 2 winner in France; Kristi With a K, who was nosed at the wire in an overnight stakes last out; Viva La Flag, beaten a half-length or less finishing second in five of seven U.S. starts; Love Tune, a Group 1 stakes winner in her native Brazil; Fast Tigress, who spent the first half of the year knocking heads with Grade 1 American Oaks winner Gozzip Girl; and Quarayed, who makes her seasonal and U.S. debut for the connections of multiple Gradeo1 winner Grand Couturier.
Weather permitting, it will be the third leg of an all-turf late pick four, the fourth such sequence of the meet, but the first since May 31.
Cable burst onto the scene here last July by altering course repeatedly and closing with a rush to win her debut going away for trainer Christophe Clement. She was no less impressive three weeks later at Saratoga, trailing a slow pace after stumbling at the start and rallying inside to get up in time over first-level allowance rivals.
After being sidelined for eight months, Cable was bet to 9-5 on Polytrack at Keeneland, rallied mildly to finish third, and has been away again for 82 days.
"I didn't think it was as good as her turf races," Clement said. "She's had a few problems but seems to be over them."
Quarayed, like Cable, is by Dynaformer and out of a Seeking the Gold mare.
Like her stablemate Grand Couturier, an expected starter in Saturday's Man o' War, Quarayed was trained in Europe by Jean-Claude Rouget.
"She's been ready for a while," said Bob Ribaudo. "We shipped her overseas as a yearling because her pedigree said 'Euro type,' but she was tough to train and tough to gallop. It looked like she was on her way, but she never developed. We need to get her started and see how she adapts. She's still a handful but acts like she's got some class."