Holy Helena, fresh for New York Stakes, wants firm turf

ELMONT, N.Y. – While trainer Chad Brown will send out the strong entry of Homerique and Competitionofideas in search of his third victory in the New York Stakes in four years, trainer Jimmy Jerkens will try to pull an upset with Holy Helena, who comes into the Grade 2, $600,000 race fresh and searching for firm ground. The New York, race 9 Friday at Belmont Park, is for fillies and mares going 1 1/4 miles on turf.

Holy Helena is a five-time stakes winner, including the 2017 Queen’s Plate against males. Last year, she reeled off three consecutive victories, including the Grade 2 Sheepshead Bay, before finishing fifth in the New York.

After winning her second straight The Very One Stakes at Gulfstream Park in March, Holy Helena came back to New York for the Sheepshead Bay but scratched when the course came up soft. Jerkens has learned from multiple tries that Holy Helena doesn’t handle that type of ground.

Thus, Holy Helena is coming into the New York off a 97-day layoff. Though Holy Helena has proven capable of firing off layoffs, Jerkens said: “I still would have liked to have gone into the race with something since Florida. At least I think the turf should be pretty firm.”

How firm remains to be seen. According to weather.com, thunderstorms were in the forecast beginning Wednesday afternoon into Thursday morning.

Holy Helena is coming off a head victory over Ickymasho in the Grade 3 The Very One. Ickymasho has come back to win two stakes.

Holy Helena will break from the rail under Manny Franco.

In 2016, Brown ran 1-2-3 in the New York with Dacita, Sea Calisi, and Guapaza. In 2018, he finished 1-2 with Fourstar Crook and Sistercharlie, who went on to be crowned female turf champion. On Friday, Brown, will be represented by Homerique and Competitionofideas.

Homerique, a Kentucky-bred daughter of Exchange Rate, made an eye-catching U.S. debut last month, rallying from last to take the Grade 3 Beaugay Stakes by a half-length over Competitionofideas. That race was at 1 1/16 miles, a distance that may have been shorter than Homerique’s form suggests will be her best.

Brown said he felt “on class, she could win” the Beaugay, “but I know she wants to run a little farther than this, and she was able to get it done. Her form suggests a mile and a quarter should be fine.”

Both of Homerique’s victories in France last year came at 1 1/4 miles.

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Homerique, who will be ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr., will break from the outside post in the field of eight.

Competitionofideas won the Grade 1 American Oaks at 1 1/4 miles at Santa Anita last December. She had a ground-saving trip underneath Joel Rosario in the Beaugay, but appeared to be uncomfortable trying to rally along the inside.

“I think you’re going to see a stronger kick if she can get in the clear,” Brown said.

Lady Montdore looks to be the speed of the New York. She began her U.S. career with two front-running victories at Saratoga last summer but has gone winless in three starts since.

Giant Zinger, who set a pedestrian pace before finishing third in the Sheepshead Bay, could make sure Lady Montdore doesn’t have a free run on the front end.

Semper Sententiae has won only once, having taken a maiden race at 1 1/4 miles here last September. But she has finished second or third in five consecutive stakes, including a runner-up finish behind Santa Monica in the Sheepshead Bay.

Vexatious, fifth in the Sheepshead Bay over soft ground, would appear to prefer firm turf. She has been transferred to Jack Sisterson after racing for Neil Drysdale.

Matty’s Magnum, 1 for 11 on turf, looks to be overmatched in this spot.

The 11-race Friday card begins at 12:50 p.m. Eastern. The card includes the Grade 3, $250,000 Bed o’ Roses Invitational; the $150,000 Tremont for 2-year-olds; the Grade 2, $250,000 True North; and the Grade 2, $400,000 Belmont Gold Cup Invitational.