Ceiling Crusher runs in Fleet Treat before heading east for Cotillion
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DEL MAR, Calif. – Before she ships east later this summer for a million-dollar Grade 1, the undefeated filly Ceiling Crusher gets another chance to run up the score Thursday at Del Mar.
Romping winner of two California-bred stakes, by a combined margin of more than 32 lengths, Ceiling Crusher looks odds-on in the $175,000 Fleet Treat Stakes for statebred 3-year-old fillies. After that, deeper water.
“We’re optimistic Thursday is going to go well and she’s going to come out of in good shape,” trainer Doug O’Neill said. “And then the Cotillion, that’s our big swing.”
The Grade 1 Cotillion on Sept. 23 at Parx Racing might seem ambitious for a Cal-bred who has never faced open company. But it so happens that Ceiling Crusher is the fastest filly in the West. Her 94 sprint Beyer Speed Figure two back, and 92 route fig last out, are the highest this season by a 3-year-old filly in California.
Not only is Ceiling Crusher fast, she also looks the part. O’Neill said “she’s just a beautiful, tall, long, gorgeous-looking filly. She’s been brilliant from the day we got her.”
Sired by Mr. Big, Ceiling Crusher began her career for owner Dan Northrup and trainer Luis Mendez. After she romped first out at 2, O’Neill heard she might be for sale. “We had a group that were interested, got a deal done, and started mapping out a dream plan.”
So far, so good for owners Todd Cady, Lisa Fedick, Tim Kasparoff, and Ty Leatherman. Ceiling Crusher won an allowance in January, followed by the Evening Jewel and Melair in spring at Santa Anita. Regular rider Juan Hernandez is up Thursday.
Six others are entered in the seven-furlong Fleet Treat, race 7. Tom’s Regret won the Pleasanton Oaks last out but has finished far behind Ceiling Crusher twice previously. Chismosa missed by a neck last out against older fillies and mares in the Grade 2 Great Lady M. at Los Alamitos.
Based on current class and a 3 for 3 record at Del Mar, including two juvenile stakes, Chismosa enters as an upset candidate. However, she drew the rail over a surface that was conspicuously pro-outside, anti-inside opening week. If the bias continues, Chismosa is up against it. Others entered are Absolutely Zero, Cholly, Big Pond, and Smiling Lady.
◗ Race 3 on Thursday, a second-level allowance sprint for fillies and mares, includes graded winner Lady T and lightly raced 3-year-old Anywho.
Lady T won the Grade 3 Las Flores Stakes in December at Santa Anita, misfired next out, and runs Thursday for the first time in five months. Trainer John Shirreffs expects her to run well.
“We think she’s matured a lot,” he said. “Last year she was very rank and hard to deal with, especially during training. But now she’s much more into her training.”
Anywho, 2 for 3, faces older for the first time after being compromised by ground loss in an age-restricted Grade 2.
Doris Mae is likely to set the pace. My Destiny and Taming the Tigress also are entered in the five-runner field.
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