Gulfstream Park: Say a Novena out for reversal, adds blinkers for Forward Gal

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Trainer Eddie Plesa hopes an extra furlong and an equipment change can help Say a Novena exact some revenge on Sacristy when the two 3-year-old fillies meet for the second time in four weeks in Sunday’s Grade 2, $150,000 Forward Gal Stakes at Gulfstream Park.

On Jan. 1, Sacristy beat Say a Novena by 1 3/4 lengths here in the Grade 3 Old Hat at six furlongs. The two were running together near the back of the pack early on. Around the turn, Sacristy launched her rally, while Say a Novena got shuffled back. When Say a Novena got room to run, Sacristy was long gone.

Since the race, Plesa has trained Say a Novena in blinkers, equipment she wore in a five-furlong workout that went in a bullet 1:00.80 at Calder on Jan. 18. She will wear blinkers on Sunday.

“Last time she ran, she got shuffled back. She handled it well, but I just think the blinkers might move her up just a tad, which is what we’re going to need,” Plesa said. “She ran out of ground. I was very pleased with her race. I think seven-eighths will be a good distance for her.”

Say a Novena has already won at seven furlongs, taking the Brandywine Stakes by 6 1/2 lengths at Parx Racing last October.

There is some rain in the forecast and Say a Novena is 1 for 2 over a track with moisture in it. Elvis Trujillo rides from post 6.[bc_video_id:242944:]

Sacristy is 2 for 2 on dirt, including a 6 3/4-length maiden win at Churchill last November and the Old Hat four weeks ago. Trainer Wayne Catalano believes the seven furlongs will fit his filly just fine, especially with so much speed in the race. Kent Desormeaux rides Sacristy from post 4.

“The way she ran the other day it should help her, I would think,” Catalano said. “I don’t think it’s going to hurt us, it might hurt some of the other speed. We’ll find out.”

Some of that speed could be supplied by Good Deed and Broadway’s Alibi. After losing her debut when bet down to 5-2 favoritism at Saratoga, Good Deed has won three consecutive races, including a minor stakes at Fair Grounds. She was on or near the lead in each of her last two starts when she broke from the rail, a post position she has again on Sunday.

Broadway’s Alibi has also been a forward factor in each of her last two starts, a seven-length win at Delaware Park last September and a five-length first-level allowance victory here on Dec. 15. She did drift out some in her win at Gulfstream, “but she’s been very good in the morning since,” trainer Todd Pletcher said.

Quick Flip, who had a three-race winning streak snapped when fourth in the Old Hat, and Yara, who makes her first start since recording a front-running score in the Joe O’Farrell Juvenile Fillies at Calder last Nov. 12, complete the field.