Cali Thirty Seven has to walk fine line in Miss Liberty
Monmouth Park has put together a complicated feature race Sunday, as the $75,000 Miss Liberty, a mile turf stakes for fillies and mares, has drawn a full gate of 14.
The Miss Liberty will rematch the first-, second-, fourth-, and sixth-place finishers from the April 30 Powder Break Stakes at Gulfstream Park. The eager-to-lead Isabella Sings, Arlington shipper Seeking Treasure, and the improving Candida H. add further depth to the field.
Cali Thirty Seven won the Powder Break for trainer Joe Orseno after setting an uncontested pace under Joe Bravo, who will be back aboard Sunday. Cali Thirty Seven covered a mile that day in 1:33.84.
But Sunday’s race figures to play out differently as Isabella Sings has runoff-type speed. Nobody has beaten her to the front in seven races going back a year.
“I knew she was coming and almost went to Pimlico last week for the Gallorette on Preakness Day, a race I think she would have done well in,” Orseno said. “Instead I decided to give her an extra week and not have to ship. I learned long ago never to duck one horse.”
Orseno said he doesn’t plan to challenge Isabella Sings for the lead if it means going too fast.
“We could let the other filly go and still be in front of the field, just sitting second,” he said.
Cali Thirty Seven went 1 for 6 on dirt to begin her career. She is 3 for 6 since Orseno switched her to turf.
“I’ve been high on her since she was 2,” Orseno said. “She’s doing well and getting better. She’s running now the way I always thought she would. “
Miss Liberty Stakes, Race 9
Key Contenders
Cali Thirty Seven, by Eskendereya
(Last 3 Beyers: 90-91-85)
◗ The Powder Break was Cal Thirty Seven’s second consecutive victory and her first stakes score. A $52,000 Ocala 2-year-old buy, she has earned $178,030.
Isabella Sings, by Eskendereya
(Last 3 Beyers: 75-109-99)
◗ Trained by Todd Pletcher, she has made four of her last five starts in graded company and finished second, beaten a length by Tepin, two starts back in the Grade 2 Hillsborough at Tampa Bay Downs.
◗ Her speed always makes her dangerous.
Seeking Treasure, by Run Away and Hide
(Last 3 Beyers: 87-51-75)
◗ Trained in Chicago by Doug Matthews, she won the Dahlia Stakes on April 16 at Laurel Park in course-record time over the Bowl Game turf layout. Laurel has six different course configurations.
◗ Lacked room in the stretch of the Dahlia, but accelerated to split horses when a path opened.
Notte d’Oro, by Medaglia d’Oro
(Last 3 Beyers: 88-88-89)
◗ Closed to be second in the Powder Break for Christophe Clement, but never seriously challenged Cali Thirty Seven. May have a bit more to give than she showed last time.
Candida H., by Lemon Drop Kid
(Last 3 Beyers: 77-69-77)
◗ She has won two of her last three, all in Maryland.
◗ Has been working steadily for Mike Trombetta since winning an optional race March 20.
◗ She is 4 for 12, but this will be only her second turf start.