Keeneland: Hollywood's Matriarch could be next target for Dayatthespa

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Dayatthespa was scheduled to return to New York by charter flight Sunday, the day after the filly recorded her fifth straight victory with an emphatic two-length, front-running score in the Grade 1, $400,000 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup over the Keeneland turf.

Dayatthespa earned a 92 Beyer Speed Figure in the QE II and could run next in the Grade 1 Matriarch at Betfair Hollywood Park on Nov. 25 “if she trains the way I’d like her to, and if I feel she’s up to all that trip out west entails,” according to trainer Chad Brown.

Dayatthespa, a New York-bred 3-year-old by City Zip, is unbeaten in 2012, having won twice at Gulfstream Park, once at Saratoga, and now twice at Keeneland, all of them turf stakes around two turns.

Brown also had the fourth-place finisher in the QE II in Samitar, who on the wire was just a half-length behind runner-up Centre Court and a nose back of third-place Better Lucky.

“She came out of the race in good shape, too, and we’ll consider the Matriarch for her as well, depending on the weeks to come,” he said.

Centre Court, second the whole way behind Dayatthespa, will target the Grade 2 Mrs. Revere Stakes on Nov. 17 at Churchill Downs before getting time off in Florida, said trainer Rusty Arnold.

“The filly ran really hard,” he said. “She was just second-best as the race was run.”

The QE II was the sixth and last Grade 1 race of the 17-day Keeneland fall meet, which runs through Oct. 27.

Meanwhile, Madame Giry, who extended her win streak to five when taking the Franklin County Stakes here Friday, is through for the year, said trainer Cam Gambolati.

Madame Giry, a 3-year-old Maryland-bred, drew off by 2 1/2 lengths when earning a career-high 91 Beyer in the Franklin County. All of her wins have come in turf sprints.

Gambolati said he intends to send Madame Giry to Gulfstream Park, which opens its stable area Thursday.

“She’s going to get a little break because there’s really nothing for her right now,” he said. “This is the time to do it.”