Matriarch, American Oaks next-race possibilities for Mokat

Mokat, the California-based Grade 2 winner who finished fifth in the Grade 1 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup at Keeneland last Saturday, will start in at least one more major stakes on turf this year.

Trainer Richard Baltas said he is considering running Mokat in the $300,000 Matriarch Stakes, for fillies and mares at a mile at Del Mar on Dec. 4, or the $300,000 American Oaks, for 3-year-old fillies at Santa Anita in the final days of the year.

Baltas said a break before a start in December will benefit Mokat, who races for JK Racing. Earlier this year, Mokat won the Grade 2 San Clemente Handicap at Del Mar in her first start in more than two months.

“I’d like to give her three weeks off and give her a freshening,” Baltas said. “She did so good the last time I gave her a rest.”