Jolie Olimpica headed to Ladies Sprint at Kentucky Downs
Jolie Olimpica, a two-time stakes winner this year, has recovered from a recent bout with colic and will be pointed for the Grade 3 Spendthrift Farms Ladies Sprint at Kentucky Downs on Sept. 12, trainer Richard Mandella said on Friday.
Mandella said the colic was not a serious issue earlier this week, but that the timing prevented a start in Sunday’s Grade 2 Del Mar Mile. Jolie Olimpica missed a start in the Yellow Ribbon Stakes earlier this month because of a grabbed quarter.
“It’s one stumbling block after another,” Mandella said.
Mandella said the Ladies Sprint at 6 1/2 furlongs at Kentucky Downs is preferred over the Grade 2 John Mabee Stakes at 1 1/8 miles on turf at Del Mar on Sept. 5.
The distance of the Mabee could be longer than Jolie Olimpica would prefer. Earlier this year, Jolie Olimpica won two stakes at 5 1/2 furlongs on turf at Santa Anita – the Las Cienegas Stakes in course record time of 1:01 on Jan. 11 in her American debut and the Grade 2 Monrovia Stakes on May 22.
A Group 1 winner in Brazil in 2019, Jolie Olimpica was second in the Group 1 Jenny Wiley Stakes at 1 1/16 miles on turf at Keeneland on July 11.
“I’m going to do what I know she can do,” Mandella said.