Matareya, Juju’s Map eyeing Acorn Stakes

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Matareya, the Grade 2 Eight Belles winner, and Juju’s Map, a second-level allowance winner, both came out of their Friday victories at Churchill Downs in good order, trainer Brad Cox said Saturday morning, and both will be under consideration for the Grade 1, $500,000 Acorn Stakes on June 11 at Belmont Park.

Matareya improved her record to 3 for 3 in 2022 with a 2 1/4-length victory over the pacesetting Pretty Birdie in the Eight Belles. Ridden by Flavien Prat, Matareya ran seven furlongs in 1:21.86 and earned a 93 Beyer Speed Figure.

“I thought it was a fantastic ride,” Cox said. “She settled, he let her creep up close to the leaders up the backside, got position, and she kicked,” Cox said.

Cox said Matareya has proven to be a superior one-turn horse, which is why races like the Acorn and later in the summer the Grade 1 Test at Saratoga are to be considered.

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Since Matareya was running back in less than four weeks in the Eight Belles, Cox said he could elect to skip the Acorn and point to something like the Grade 3, $150,000 Victory Ride on July 9 at Belmont as a lead-in to the Test on Aug. 6.

Meanwhile, Juju’s Map, who beat Matareya in the Grade 1 Alcibiades last fall, won a second-level allowance against older horses on Friday’s card. Juju’s Map went gate to wire in the 1 1/16-mile race, covering the distance in 1:43.35 and earning an 87 Beyer Speed Figure. It was her first start since she finished second to Echo Zulu in the Breeder’ Cup Juvenile Fillies at Del Mar last November.

“I was super pleased with her effort yesterday,” Cox said. “The Acorn would be a race to consider.”