Mean Mary could face males in United Nations as bridge to Beverly D.
Trainer Graham Motion definitely wants to race Mean Mary, who won the New York Stakes at Belmont in her most recent start, in the Beverly D. Stakes on Aug. 14 at Arlington, but he also is toying with an interim race in the Grade 1 United Nations on July 17 at Monmouth.
“It’s a long time to wait for the Beverly D., and we might want to run in the U.N.,” Motion said. “I think I’d just wait for Arlington, though, if we don’t go to Monmouth.”
Meanwhile, the Motion-trained filly Crystal Cliffs dead-heated for third Sunday in the Eatontown Stakes, running nearly as well, perhaps, as victorious Vigilantes Way. While the winner pressed a slow pace, Crystal Cliffs rallied from 10th at a 1 1/16-mile trip likely short of her best.
“It just didn’t set up for her,” Motion said. “I feel bad for the filly because she doesn’t race that often and puts so much into her starts.”
Motion has nothing concrete set for Crystal Cliffs, who has raced only twice in 2021, but said she also could be considered for the Beverly D.