Improving Leader of the Band will target Cathryn Sophia Stakes
Leader of the Band will be aimed toward the $150,000 Cathryn Sophia Stakes on Aug. 24 at Parx Racing and could get a look in the Grade 1 Cotillion there in September if she performs well.
Leader of the Band won her second race and first stakes when she swept to victory Saturday at Monmouth Park in the Grade 3, $250,000 Monmouth Oaks. Leader of the Band beat favored Edie Meeny Miny Mo by two lengths, her time of 1:43.44 for 1 1/16 miles on dirt producing a career-best 88 Beyer Speed Figure.
Leader of the Band, by Bandbox out of Catsuit, had been a mildly troubled third July 3 at Delaware making her stakes and two-turn debut in the Delaware Oaks.
“She’s shown talent from the git-go, but she’s learned to settle a little more and the two turns has helped her, too,” said trainer John Servis, who trained Cathryn Sophia. “She used to use a lot of energy before the race, get a little hot in the paddock and post parade, but she’s learning as she goes.
“We’ll run in the Cathryn Sophia and see how she runs there and comes out of it before we think about the Cotillion.”