Despite first loss, Donk pleased with Fingal's Cave graded stakes run
OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Though Fingal’s Cave suffered her first career defeat in Saturday’s Grade 2 Raven Run Stakes, she ran a very creditable second to Wicked Halo, beaten four lengths after getting pinched back at the start under Joel Rosario.
“It was a really big step up for her and a big effort,” trainer David Donk told the New York Racing Association press department Sunday. “She got squeezed a bit and checked at the start, which is not what you needed to happen the way the racetrack was playing. The track was really playing to horses that were close up to the pace and that was kind of the plan. Joel had to go to Plan B after the break, and I was impressed with the run she made.”
The Raven Run was the first start in a graded stakes for Fingal’s Cave, who had won all four of her previous starts, including the Fleet Indian Stakes for New York-bred 3-year-old fillies.
Fingal’s Cave could make her next start in the Grade 3, $175,000 Comely Stakes for 3-year-old fillies on Nov. 25 at Aqueduct.
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