Can anybody beat Catch a Glimpse in Lake Placid?

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – The question was simple in nature but most difficult to answer. Trainer Jimmy Toner was asked how his filly Time and Motion, second to Catch a Glimpse in the Grade 1 Belmont Oaks last month, could turn the tables on that filly in Sunday’s Grade 2, $300,000 Lake Placid Stakes at Saratoga.

“That’s a good question. I wish I knew the answer. It’s not going to be easy,” Toner said. “She’s the controlling speed of the race, and that’s what it is. To beat her, you just got to go beat her.”

No one has beaten Catch a Glimpse yet on grass. She is 8 for 8 on turf, and as Toner said, she looms the controlling speed in the Lake Placid at 1 1/8 miles.

Time and Motion was running at Catch a Glimpse in the final furlong of the Belmont Oaks but came up just short. That race was at 1 1/4 miles, a distance at which many thought Catch a Glimpse was vulnerable.

“I don’t think anybody thought she was going to go that far, and she was off on her own,” Toner said. “Meanwhile, every time she runs, she looks like she’s going to get beat the last part of it, and then she keeps winning, so there’s something there. Take nothing away from her. She’s a good filly, and I think it’ll take a good one to beat her.”

Prior to the Belmont Oaks, Time and Motion had won three straight races, including the Wonder Again Stakes at 1 1/8 miles.

John Velazquez rides Time and Motion from post 1.

Prior to winning the Belmont Oaks, Catch a Glimpse beat the boys in the Grade 3 Penn Mile. She has won at distances from seven furlongs to 1 1/4 miles, though this will be her first race at 1 1/8 miles.

“Obviously, the mile and a quarter was a question; the mile and an eighth shouldn’t be a problem,” said Mark Casse, the trainer of Catch a Glimpse.

Florent Geroux rides Catch a Glimpse from post 2.

Trainer Chad Brown, who ran one-two in the Lake George earlier at this meet, sends out Elysea’s World, the Lake George runner-up, and Pricedtoperfection, fourth in the Belmont Oaks.

Lake Placid, Race 8

Key Contenders

Catch a Glimpse, by City Zip

Last 3 Beyers: 96-93-91

◗ Undefeated in eight starts on turf, including the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies over yielding ground. There is some rain in the forecast for late Sunday afternoon.

“That wouldn’t hurt our feelings,” Casse said.

◗ Her last two breezes over the Oklahoma turf course have been excellent.

“I don’t think she could be doing any better,” Casse said.

Time and Motion, by Tapit

Last 3 Beyers: 95-90-82

◗ Has shown good late run in all of her races this year and was caught four wide when trying to run down Catch a Glimpse at equal weights.

◗ Shortens up a furlong and gets four pounds from Catch a Glimpse on Sunday.

“If you’re good enough, you’re supposed to be able to do it, and that’s the bottom line,” Toner said. “She’s doing super.”

Elysea’s World, by Champs Elysees

Last 3 Beyers: 89-81-83

◗ Was impressive in winning her U.S. debut at Belmont in May before running a dull sixth to Time and Motion in the Wonder Again Stakes.

◗ Finished well but just couldn’t catch stablemate Ancient Secret in the Lake George. Gets eight pounds from Catch a Glimpse and four from Time and Motion.