Dawn the Destroyer should get hot pace in Prioress

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Though Dawn the Destroyer showed speed in her two starts for Kiaran McLaughlin, the trainer believes she might be more effective coming from off the pace.

That type of trip shouldn’t be hard to work out in Sunday’s Grade 2, $250,000 Prioress Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Saratoga, a race that appears loaded with early speed types. A field of nine was entered for the six-furlong Prioress, including the unbeaten Downtown Mama for trainer Linda Rice.

Originally with Steve Asmussen, Dawn the Destroyer was moved by owner Barbara Banke to McLaughlin in the spring. Dawn the Destroyer made her first start for McLaughlin at Belmont, where she finished a troubled third in a first-level allowance race, getting squeezed by the top two finishers in deep stretch. A jockey’s objection against the top two finishers was dismissed.

Dawn the Destroyer came out of that race to win an allowance by three lengths at Saratoga on July 24. She broke on top, dropped back to last of four, then rallied along the inside over a sealed, sloppy track, conditions that may be present Sunday if the weather forecast proves accurate.

Referencing the July 24 race, McLaughlin said jockey Joel Rosario told him Dawn the Destroyer “didn’t like” being up front early. “We’ll be committed to be mid- to the back-of-the-pack,” McLaughlin said.

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Downtown Mama has not run since July 13 when she won a second-level allowance at Belmont. Trainer Linda Rice felt Downtown Mama was too keen to run in the Grade 1 Test at seven furlongs, so she waited for this six-furlong race.

Though she came from off the pace in her debut win, Downtown Mama has won her two races at Belmont on the front end. Jose Ortiz rides on Sunday.

“I think we have a good post where Jose can figure it out,” Rice said. “We’re not stuck inside.”

Midwest shippers Student Body and Sister Kan add some intrigue to the field. Nonna Mela is 2 for 2 at Saratoga, including a six-length victory in the Grade 2 Adirondack last year. Vertical Oaks and Golden Mischief, second and fourth in the Grade 3 Victory Ride at Belmont on July 9, are both contenders for trainer Steve Asmussen.

Royal Inheritance is 4 for 5 and could be the speed of the race. Yorkiepoo Princess, a stakes winner at Aqueduct last fall and winter, completes the field.

KEY CONTENDERS

Dawn the Destroyer, by Speightstown
Last 3 Beyers: 85-81-53

◗ Has followed her allowance win here on July 24 with two bullet workouts over the Oklahoma training track.

“She couldn’t be doing better,” McLaughlin said. “She might want a little farther than six [furlongs], but with this kind of race shape and pace it should suit us. If the track happens to be wet, she won’t mind it.”

Downtown Mama, by Speightstown
Last 3 Beyers: 85-75-70

◗ Takes on stronger company than she’s previously met but has not lost in three starts.

◗ Has handled a sealed, wet track and has come from off the pace.

Golden Mischief, by Into Mischief
Last 3 Beyers: 71-78-81

◗ Has not had the best of the trips in her last three starts, but figures to get a strong pace to close into under Ricardo Santana Jr.