Kitten's Covergirl seems ready off long layoff

ELMONT, N.Y. – When Kitten’s Covergirl makes her first start in nearly a year Friday at Belmont Park, she figures to catch the type of firm ground on which she was successful when she raced here in the summer of 2018.

Kitten’s Covergirl is one of three contenders in a second-level allowance/optional $62,5000 claiming turf sprint who are returning to the races off some sort of extended layoff. Kitten’s Covergirl has not raced since last Oct. 13, when she finished eighth of nine in the Pebbles Stakes over soft turf at Belmont.

Trained by Pat Reynolds in the Pebbles, Kitten’s Covergirl makes her first start Friday for Mertkan Kantarmaci.

“She shows me she’s ready in the morning,” said Kantarmaci, who said he received the horse from owner Robert Amendola in April. “For her fitness, three-quarters is good first time after a one-year layoff. In the future, I think she can go middle distance or longer.”

In the summer of 2018, Kitten’s Covergirl won two races over firm Belmont turf. She showed the ability to be successful from either on or just off the pace.

“She’s a quick filly but she doesn’t have to go crazy. She can be second or third,” Kantarmaci said. “If somebody is going too fast she can make it from a couple of lengths behind.”

Friday, Kitten’s Covergirl will break from the rail under Luis Saez, who has won both of his starts this year for Kantarmaci, including aboard 18-1 shot Queen Kahen here on Sept. 18.

Albertville, a three-time winner in Europe, makes her second start in the U.S. and second for Christophe Clement. Her previous start came here on April 28 when she finished fifth, beaten 3 1/4 lengths by Fire Key, in the License Fee Stakes, a race run over yielding turf.

Clement said Albertville bled in that race and was given ample time off.

“She will probably benefit from a race, but she’s fit enough to run,” Clement said. “The filly looks well, she’s healthy and perfectly sound. I’m a touch worried because it’s been so firm lately.”

Manny Franco rides Albertville.

Miss Mystique has been a bit inconsistent, but she has run well at a price in two of her last three starts. One was a victory in an off-the-turf race.

Trainer Leah Gyarmati said Miss Mystique is a bit of a quirky filly.

“She can really run a bang-up race, but if things don’t go her way it’s a complete debacle,” Gyarmati said. “She’ll lug out, she’ll run off.”

Mentality, trained by Wesley Ward, has not run since finishing third in this condition at Saratoga on July 24. Violent Times, the runner-up from that race, came back to win her next start.

Mentality is 3 for 5 at Belmont, including a front-running score in a first-level allowance here on May 25.

Posse Needed and Annie Rocks complete the field on turf. Leah’s Dream is entered to run only if the race is transferred to the main track.