Ce Ce continues to train toward Ballerina
DEL MAR, Calif. – Ce Ce, last year’s champion female sprinter, is scheduled to make her next start in the Grade 1, $500,000 Ballerina on Aug. 28 at Saratoga, trainer Michael McCarthy said.
Ce Ce was third in last year’s Ballerina, but then won her next two starts, including the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint at Del Mar, to secure the divisional Eclipse Award.
On Saturday morning, Ce Ce continued her steady training at Del Mar with a five-furlong drill in 59.60 seconds under her regular jockey, Victor Espinoza. She is scheduled to have one more work at Del Mar before heading to New York.
Ce Ce, 6, has won 10 of 20 starts, most recently the Grade 2 Princess Rooney at Gulfstream Park, a race she has won the past two years.
◗ Beholder’s 3-year-old daughter, Karin With an I, is nearing her first race since finishing seventh in her lone start in April at Santa Anita. Karin With an I, by Curlin, worked five furlongs in 59.40 on Saturday at Del Mar, equaling the fastest time of 74 at the distance. Like Beholder, she is trained by Richard Mandella.
◗ Country Grammer, the Dubai World Cup winner who is expected to be the biggest challenger to Flightline in the Grade 1, $1 million Pacific Classic at 1 1/4 miles Sept. 3, worked six furlongs in 1:12.20 on Sunday morning for trainer Bob Baffert. Country Grammer most recently was second to Royal Ship in the 1 1/16-mile San Diego.