Coppa makes another money run for Prioress

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Coppa will put her undefeated record on the line when she returns to New York for Sunday’s Grade 2, $300,000 Prioress Stakes at Saratoga.

Coppa, a daughter of Yesbyjimminy trained by Phil D’Amato, already shipped from her home base in Southern California to New York once, taking the Grade 3 Victory Ride at Belmont Park on July 9, her third win in as many starts. D’Amato said he thought about running her in the Grade 1 Test on Aug. 6 but thought another ship on relatively short rest would not be prudent.

“After the race, I was kicking myself for not giving her a shot in there, but I thought it was a little quick back off what would have been a second ship in a short period of time,” he said.

Coppa shipped in on Tuesday and has acclimated well, according to D’Amato, who has his assistant Chris Davis on hand.

“She’s had some light gallops to get acquainted to the track and surroundings,” D’Amato said. “She’s acclimated really well. She should be ready to go for Sunday.”

D’Amato acknowledged that this will be “a step up” from the field she beat in the Victory Ride.

Coppa drew post 6 and will be ridden by Joe Talamo.

The field, from the rail out, is Coniah, Lucy N Ethel, Lost Raven, One True Kiss, Appealing Maggie, Coppa, Off the Tracks, Takrees, Kareena, and Dearest.