Fingal's Cave will make next start in Distaff Handicap

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Fingal’s Cave, the multiple New York-bred stakes winning mare, will make her next start in the Grade 3, $175,000 Distaff Handicap at Aqueduct on April 6, trainer David Donk said Thursday.

Fingal’s Cave had been mentioned as a potential runner for the Grade 1 Madison at Keeneland the same day. She is also nominated to the $100,000 Biogio’s Rose, a one-mile race for New York-breds, at Aqueduct on March 23.

Fingal’s Cave, a 5-year-old daughter of Carpe Diem, has won five of her six races. Her lone defeat came to Wicked Halo, when second in the Grade 2 Raven Run at Keeneland in the fall of 2022.

“I don’t need to throw her to the wolves yet,” Donk said Thursday. “The Distaff will be a competitive enough spot. Let’s let her prove herself and take us to a higher level.”

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Fingal’s Cave was away from the races for 14 months due to bone remodeling and a foot issue. She came off that layoff to win the Bay Ridge Stakes for statebreds on Dec. 28 by 4 3/4 lengths. She was then sent to WinStar Farm in Kentucky to avoid training in New York during the winter.

“I’m glad we did it,” Donk said. “The track conditions were a little difficult in January and February here.”

Fingal’s Cave has breezed twice since returning to Donk’s care, including a half-mile move in 49.28 seconds on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Donk is gearing up his pair of older turf siblings for their 2024 campaign. Thin White Duke, winner of the Harvey Pack Stakes last September, had his third work of the year, a half-mile in 48.81 seconds Thursday morning over the Belmont Park training track.

Donk said he is hoping to get Thin White Duke to the Grade 1 Jaipur, this year to be run at 5 1/2 furlongs at Saratoga, on June 8. That race is typically run at six furlongs when conducted at Belmont.

Yes and Yes, the 8-year-old older half-brother to Thin White Duke, has had two three-furlong breezes so far.

Both horses are candidates for the Elusive Quality Stakes at Aqueduct on May 4.

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