Fingal's Cave stays with own kind in Raven Run Stakes
OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Fingal’s Cave, an undefeated New York-bred 3-year-old filly, will step into graded stakes company for the first time when she runs in the Grade 2, $350,000 Raven Run Stakes on Oct. 22 at Keeneland, trainer David Donk said Thursday.
Donk said the chance to keep Fingal’s Cave facing her own age group was a major factor in deciding on the seven-furlong Raven Run over a race such as the Empire Distaff for New York-bred fillies and mares on Oct. 30 at Aqueduct.
“You don’t have too many opportunities to do that,” Donk said. “We’re curious to cut her back [in distance], but mainly because it’s her own age group.”
Fingal’s Cave, a daughter of Carpe Diem, is 4 for 4 and is coming off a half-length victory in the $200,000 Fleet Indian Stakes for New York bred 3-year-old fillies going 1 1/8 miles at Saratoga.
“Last time, she ran over a sealed track that I don’t I think she cared for,” Donk said.
Fingal’s Cave will be Donk’s first runner at Keeneland since King Kreesa ran sixth in the Grade 1 Shadwell Turf Mile in 2015. His last winner at Keeneland came in 1996 when Rough Opening won the Grade 3 Forerunner Stakes.
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