Letruska arrives for Ogden Phipps off fast Keeneland work

ELMONT, N.Y. – Letruska, who defeated champions Monomoy Girl and Swiss Skydiver in the Grade 1 Apple Blossom at Oaklawn Park on April 17, arrived Friday at Belmont Park, where she will start in next Saturday’s Grade 1, $500,000 Ogden Phipps Stakes on the Belmont Stakes undercard.

Since her victory in the Apple Blossom, where she defeated Monomoy Girl by a nose, Letruska has been based at Keeneland. She worked at Keeneland twice, including Tuesday, when she went five furlongs in 58.80 seconds, the fastest of seven moves at the distance.

“The work was very good,” trainer Faustino Gutierrez said. “I wish she didn’t work so fast but that’s the rhythm that she’s in right now She feels very, very good since the Apple Blossom.”

Letruska, a 5-year-old daughter of Super Saver, has won four of her last six starts beginning with a one-length victory in the Grade 3 Shuvee at Saratoga last summer. In her lone start at Belmont, she finished last of four in the Grade 2 Beldame Invitational, her seventh and final start of 2020.

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In three starts this year, Letruska won the Grade 3 Rampart at Gulfstream, was beaten a head by Shedaresthedevil in the Grade 2 Azeri, and won the Apple Blossom.

Shedaresthedevil came out of the Azeri to win the Grade 1 La Troienne at Churchill Downs on April 30. Shedaresthedevil is pointing to the Phipps, as is Swiss Skydiver, last year’s 3-year-old filly champion who won the Grade 1 Beholder Mile before the Apple Blossom.

Others pointing to the Phipps, a Win and You’re In race for the Breeders’ Cup Distaff in November at Del Mar, are Bonny South, Miss Marisa, Queen Nekia, Valiance, and Water White.