Dayatthespa to run in Ballston Spa or Yaddo

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Dayatthespa was one of seven fillies and mares entered Wednesday for Saturday’s Grade 2, $250,000 Ballston Spa Stakes at Saratoga, but she is not a definite to run.

Trainer Chad Brown said he planned to cross-enter Dayatthespa in Sunday’s $150,000 Yaddo Stakes for New York-bred fillies and mares, a race that is expected to attract the Grade 1 winner Discreet Marq. Dayatthespa’s last win came in the Yaddo Stakes here last summer.

Both the Ballston Spa and Yaddo are run at 1 1/16 miles on turf.

“I’m cross-entering from a pace standpoint,” Brown said. “Whatever race makes more sense in regards to the pace.”

Dayatthespa has run her best races when she’s been close to the pace. In 2012, she won the Grade 1 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup at Keeneland in front-running fashion.

Dayatthespa was off from December to August, when she returned with a second here in the De La Rose Stakes, finishing 1 3/4 lengths behind Filimbi, who is entered back in the Ballston Spa.

“I thought she ran great,” Brown said. “Running back in three weeks is not ideal, but I feel she needs to race again before the First Lady at Keeneland.”

Dayatthespa drew post 5 in the Ballston Spa, a race that doesn’t appear to have a ton of early speed.

Filimbi came from off the pace to win the De La Rose. Two other Ballston Spa contenders come from off the pace: Grade 1 winner Centre Court, away from the races since May, and Abaco, fourth in the Grade 1 Diana.

Nellie Cashman, Night Song, and Strathnaver complete the field.