Cathedral will stay in U.S. after Diana with sights set on Breeders' Cup
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SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Cathedral, bred and based in Great Britain, outran her odds when she finished fourth, beaten just 1 3/4 lengths, in last November’s Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf at Del Mar.
Cathedral is back in the United States and this time it appears she’s here to stay. Cathedral will start in Saturday’s Grade 1, $500,000 Diana Stakes at Saratoga, a race her current trainer, Kevin Philippart De Foy, hopes is a starting point that will lead to a repeat appearance in the Breeders’ Cup later this year at Keeneland.
“We had this race in mind for a long time, she obviously ran well over the nine furlongs in Newmarket,” said Philippart De Foy, referring to a runner-up finish in the Group 2 Dahlia Stakes in May. “She shipped well. I think fast ground will suit her and it’s a step between a mile and the mile and three-[eighths] that she’ll be running in later on. That’s why it made sense and she’ll go farther in the United States afterwards. It looks like a good starting point.”
After her good run in Newmarket, Cathedral finished seventh in the Group 2 Duke of Cambridge Stakes at Royal Ascot. Blue Bolt, who won that race, came back to win the Group 1 Falmouth Stakes on July 10.
“Slightly disappointing run, we found some excuses afterwards, we think we fixed that and we think she is in better shape than she was going into Ascot,” Philippart De Foy said.
Philippart De Foy said Cathedral, owned by Amo Racing USA, is expected to remain in the U.S. after this race though he was not sure to which trainer she will be sent.
Cathedral ran a terrific race to be fourth in the Breeders’ Cup. She basically was fourth all the way around the track. That she ran so well at such a big price was not a surprise to Philippart De Foy.
“We were delighted with that run,” Philippart De Foy said. “We didn’t send her just to be a runner. The filly was in great shape, we thought she would improve going up in trip, which was the reason we went there. We always thought America would suit her very well.”
That’s a belief that apparently will be tested the remainder of the year.
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