Camila T can rebound at shorter distance of Stewart Manor

The $120,000 Stewart Manor on Saturday at Aqueduct could turn into a race for second if Camila T runs back to her enormous debut effort in August.

She won a turf sprint at Monmouth Park with a Beyer Speed Figure of 90 – the year’s highest number for a 2-year-old on turf through Wednesday.

“She was impressive,” trainer Juan Avila said. “Maybe this Saturday she runs the same. Maybe.”

Camila T has since finished 11th in the 1 1/16-mile Miss Grillo Stakes. She will be cutting back to one turn for the Stewart Manor, which is for 2-year-old fillies at six furlongs on the outer turf.

The Stewart Manor shares a card with the $120,000 Atlantic Beach at the same trip for 2-year-olds. First post for the 10-race card is 11:40 a.m. Eastern.

The Stewart Manor drew a field of 12, with an additional entrant, Caress, entered for the main track only. The group includes stakes winners She’s Fire and Greavette, as well as a number of runners coming off maiden special weight victories.

Camila T was a memorable maiden special weight winner Aug. 19 at Monmouth. She set the pace over five furlongs on turf and won off by 13 lengths, while covering the distance in 57.88 seconds.

:: Breeders' Cup Shop: DRF Past Performances available now

“She’s very quick,” Avila said.

Avila said based on how Camila T had trained out of the race, he moved her to two turns for the Grade 2 Miss Grillo on Oct. 4 at the Belmont at Aqueduct meet. She was alone on the lead into the stretch but tired and was beaten 8 1/2 lengths. The winner, Hard to Justify, and the runner-up, Life’s An Audible, both were to have run Friday at Santa Anita in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf.

Avila had been hoping the Miss Grillo would have been Camila T’s ticket to the Breeders’ Cup.

“She was showing every day long distance is better,” he said of her training and works ahead of the Miss Grillo. “I don’t know what happened. I thought she would be better with [more] distance. After the race, I wanted to cry. I really don’t know what happened.

“I think it’s better we’re back to a short distance.”

Camila T is a January foal by No Nay Never, who was the runner-up in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint in 2014. Her dam, Imagining, is by War Front.

Camila T will start from post 5 under regular rider Carlos Olivero, who has the mount for Victorias Ranch and R.T. Racing Stable.

Gram will get good support off a third-place finish in the Bolton Landing on Aug. 20 at Saratoga. The winner of the race, Amidst Waves, was to have run back Friday in the BC Juvenile Turf Sprint. The Bolton Landing was run on good turf. One start prior, Gram had won her maiden over firm ground at Saratoga.

Dylan Davis has the mount from post 9 for Barry Schwartz and trainer Christophe Clement.

Ever So Sweet owns the field’s best last-race Beyer Speed Figure, a 76 for a maiden special weight win over six furlongs on turf Sept. 16 at Aqueduct. Ever So Sweet was bred in Ireland, as was Camila T.

Atlantic Beach Stakes

Clement has two capable runners in the Atlantic Beach, which drew a field of 10, plus the main-track-only entrant Perliano.

Clement trainee Split Strike should get good support off his close fourth-place finish in the $200,000 Algonquin at Woodbine. He was beaten a half-length by Dancing Duchess, who is a half-sister to past Queen’s Plate winner Safe Conduct.

The Algonquin was run over good ground. Split Strike had won a maiden race in his turf debut on firm ground one start prior at Saratoga. Split Strike on Saturday will add blinkers in what is a high-percentage equipment move for Clement, according to Daily Racing Form statistics.

Kendrick Carmouche has the mount from post 5 for Tic Stables.

Split Strike is by Goldencents and out of the multiple stakes-winning mare Split Time, who earned more than $400,000.

:: Bet the races with a $200 First Deposit Match + FREE All Access PPs! Join DRF Bets.

The field’s best last-race Beyer Figure, a 79, belongs to Clement trainee Apollo Ten. It was earned for a maiden special weight win over six furlongs on turf Sept. 22 at Aqueduct. He was flattered when runner-up Irish Gent came back in his next start to win a maiden special weight. Irish Gent is in the Stewart Manor.

Apollo Ten is a half-brother to Grade 2 winner and $1.3 million earner Bay Storm. Manny Franco has the mount for Cheyenne Stable.

The Saturday field includes Works for Me, who has kept quality company. In his debut he was third, finishing right behind next-out Tremont winner Gold Sweep. Works for Me later ran against El Grande O, who has become a multiple stakes winner, and the undefeated Book’em Danno, who is scheduled to run back Sunday at Aqueduct in the Nashua, according to his trainer, Derek Ryan.

Trevor McCarthy has the mount on Works for Me for trainer Joseph Lee.

:: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.