Mandella may not run Kopion until Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint

DEL MAR, Calif. – Kopion, the dominant winner of the Grade 1 Derby City Distaff in May but second in her last two starts, worked a half-mile in 47.80 seconds at Del Mar for a fall campaign that has yet to be finalized.

Trainer Richard Mandella said on Sunday that Kopion may run in the Grade 3 Chillingworth Stakes for fillies and mares at 6 1/2 furlongs at Santa Anita on Oct. 4, or may not start until the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint at Del Mar on Nov. 1.

“Our next race might be the Breeders’ Cup,” Mandella said. “She runs well fresh.”

Kopion worked alone without being urged, going a half-mile in 47.80 seconds. Mandella timed Kopion in a slightly quicker 47.60 seconds with a gallop-out of 1:01 for five furlongs.

He described the workout as “a nice gallop.”

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After the Derby City Distaff at Churchill Downs, Kopion was second to Sweet Azteca in the Grade 2 Great Lady M. Stakes at 6 1/2 furlongs at Los Alamitos on July 5, and second to Seismic Beauty in the Grade 1 Clement Hirsch Stakes at 1 1/16 miles at Del Mar on Aug. 2.

Mandella said he briefly considered sending Kopion to Saratoga for Saturday’s Grade 1 Ballerina Stakes for fillies and mares, but opted to keep the 4-year-old filly in California.

“I thought about going to Saratoga, but I thought that might drain the tank and I’ll pay for it at the Breeders’ Cup,” he said.

Owned by Spendthrift Farm, Kopion has won 5 of 9 starts and earned $1,144,700. The $1 million Derby City Distaff at seven furlongs was her second win in a Grade 1, preceded by the $301,500 La Brea Stakes at seven furlongs for 3-year-old fillies at Santa Anita last December.

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