Cavorting starts working toward Breeders' Cup Distaff

ELMONT, N.Y. – Cavorting won’t have many workouts between now and the Breeders’ Cup Distaff, but she had one Monday, breezing a half-mile in 48 seconds over the Belmont Park main track.

It was the first work for Cavorting since her victory in the Grade 1 Personal Ensign at Saratoga on Aug. 27, her third straight graded stakes victory. Though she is nominated to Saturday’s Grade 1, $400,000 Beldame, trainer Kiaran McLaughlin reiterated that Cavorting will simply train up to the Distaff at Santa Anita on Nov. 4.

McLaughlin said he moved the work up to Monday due to the threat of rain this week in the New York area. It was also Cavorting’s first work over the Belmont main track in two years. Typically, she trains over the training track.

“She will work two more times, approximately,” McLaughlin said. “She doesn’t work weekly because she puts a lot into her training, but she went very well.”

Cavorting finished fourth as the favorite in last year’s Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint. This year, she has gradually stepped up her game as she’s stretched out in distance, winning the Grade 2 Ruffian at a mile, the Grade 1 Ogden Phipps at 1 1/16 miles, and the Personal Ensign at 1 1/8 miles around two turns.

McLaughlin will still be represented in Saturday’s Beldame with Penwith, who is coming off a second-place finish to Genre in the $200,000 Lady Jacqueline Stakes at Thistledown on Aug. 27.