La Verdad towers over statebred foes in Dancin Renee
La Verdad has started her 5-year-old season with two graded victories and on Sunday will rule a heavy favorite at Belmont Park when she steps back into the New York-bred ranks for the $100,000 Dancin Renee Stakes.
Trainer Linda Rice had considered sending La Verdad to Gulfstream Park for the Grade 2 Princess Rooney Handicap next weekend but has her eyes on stakes at Saratoga and decided this easier path was the best way to get there.
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“I was down at the Ocala sale, and it was hot,” Rice said. “I’d rather not ship into the heat in Florida. I’m looking forward to taking her to Saratoga. We have the Honorable Miss coming up and then the Ballerina.”
The Grade 2, $200,000 Honorable Miss will be run at six furlongs July 29. The Grade 1, $500,000 Ballerina is a seven-furlong race Aug. 29. Last year, La Verdad tired to finish fifth in both of those races after running six times prior to Saratoga.
“We gave her a vacation over the winter, and she’s come back fresher and run well for us,” Rice said. “I think she’s coming into Saratoga better this year. She may have been a little bit over the top by the time we got there last year.”
La Verdad, a daughter of Yes It’s True, has won 12 of 18 career starts and slightly less than $1 million in earnings. La Verdad is extremely fast but may be rationing her speed a bit more this season than she did at 4.
Jose Ortiz, who has ridden La Verdad in 16 of her starts, has the mount. Jose’s brother Irad was aboard La Verdad in her two other races.
Dancin Renee, Race 3
Key Contenders
La Verdad (Last 3 Beyers: 101-94-65)
◗ In the Grade 3 Vagrancy Handicap on May 16, she dug in to hold off Room for Me by a half-length. Room for Me returned to win a third-level optional-claiming race by 3 3/4 lengths. In her first start of the year, La Verdad won the Grade 2 Distaff Handicap on April 18 by 5 1/4 lengths.
Miss Da Point (Last 3 Beyers: 50-84-78)
◗ She chased front-running winner Sheriffa to the stretch in the one-mile Critical Eye last out but tired in the final three-sixteenths to finish last. Prior to that, she had won back-to-back no-conditions, statebred allowance races, one at six furlongs and the other at a mile.
◗ Might stalk La Verdad the whole trip and complete the exacta.
Court Dancer (Last 3 Beyers: 72-86-77)
◗ Should enjoy this return to New York-bred company after making three starts against open rivals. Won an open, first-level allowance two starts back.