McCarthy opts for one-mile Appalachian with Counterbalance

ARCADIA, Calif. – Counterbalance, winner of the China Doll Stakes for 3-year-old fillies on March 8, will miss Sunday’s $100,000 Providencia Stakes at Santa Anita in favor of Saturday’s Grade 2, $500,000 Appalachian Stakes at Keeneland.

Aside from the significant difference in purses for the turf races, trainer Michael McCarthy said the one-mile distance of the Appalachian is preferred over the Providencia Stakes, run at 1 1/8 miles.

“I think a mile and an eighth is more than what she is looking for,” McCarthy said.

Without Counterbalance, the Providencia lacks a high-profile runner among 11 nominations.

The Providencia is one of two stakes on Sunday’s final day of the winter-spring meeting, along with the $100,000 John Shear Stakes for 3-year-old at about 6 1/2 furlongs on the hillside turf course.

:: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.