Lady Eli could return in Ballston Spa

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Following a solid five-furlong breeze at Belmont Park on Sunday, Lady Eli arrived at Saratoga on Monday to continue her preparations for a return to racing, which could come in the Ballston Spa Stakes here on Aug. 27.

Lady Eli worked five furlongs over the Belmont turf Sunday morning in 1:00.63 in company with Tammy the Torpedo. It was the fourth straight week that she has breezed on turf, and it was her first work at five furlongs.

“She did great from all accounts,” trainer Chad Brown said. “Lady Eli’s on a good schedule right now. I could see her maybe making the Ballston Spa.”

Last year, Brown won the Ballston Spa with Dacita, who on Saturday won the Grade 1 Diana by a nose over Recepta. Dacita, who earned a 100 Beyer Speed Figure for the win, likely will be aimed at the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf on Nov. 5 at Santa Anita, with one start before then, most likely in the Grade 1 Flower Bowl at Belmont Park on Oct. 8.

“Now that she’s won a Grade 1 already over here, the only thing left to accomplish to increase her value is winning a Breeders’ Cup race,” Brown said. “Likely, we’ll take our time with Dacita now, let her recover from a hard race and probably point her for the Flower Bowl.”

Recepta came out of the Diana well, according to trainer Jimmy Toner, who said Monday he had not yet formed a definite plan for his 4-year-old filly.