Mutatis Mutandis gets her chance in Long Island
OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Having a horse finish third behind a horse who went on to win a Breeders’ Cup race normally would make one feel pretty good. For Ed Walker, the trainer of Mutatis Mutandis, it only made him wonder what might have been.
Walker shipped Mutatis Mutandis from Newmarket to the U.S. this fall hoping to get into the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf. But her third-place finish behind Stephanie’s Kitten in the Grade 1 Flower Bowl and a light résumé in Europe left Mutatis Mutandis ranked 20th for the Breeders’ Cup. Only 10 ran in the Filly and Mare Turf, but Mutatis Mutandis didn’t have the chance to get on the program as an also-eligible.
“That was very frustrating,” Walker said Thursday. “It would have been great to run in that. Hopefully, we’ll make amends and win on Saturday.”
Mutatis Mutandis is entered in Saturday’s Grade 3, $200,000 Long Island Handicap at Aqueduct, the final graded turf stakes of the year on this circuit for fillies and mares. Mutatis Mutandis will take on a trio of runners each from the barns of Chad Brown and Christophe Clement.
Mutatis Mutandis was beaten 4 3/4 lengths by Stephanie’s Kitten in the Flower Bowl. Though Walker was pleased with how Mutatis Mutandis ran going 1 1/4 miles over soft turf in that race, he believes the 1 1/2 miles of the Long Island and the likelihood of firm turf will be even better for the 4-year-old filly by Mastercraftsman.
“We know she’ll stay,” said Walker, noting that Mutatis Mutandis won at 1 7/16 miles at Windsor in May. “We’ve always wanted faster ground at home rather than softer. Though she ran a great race when third in the Group 1, I don’t think the ground would have been her bag.”
There appear to be a few horses in this field who prefer to be forwardly placed, and a contested pace would suit Mutatis Mutandis just fine, according to Walker.
“All her best races have been run from off the pace,” Walker said. “She likes to get in a rhythm and be passing tired horses; that’s when she’s at her best.”
John Velazquez rides Mutatis Mutandis from post 8.
Brown’s trio comprises Goldy Espony, Rosalind, and Danza Cavallo, who drew the three inside posts. Clement’s trio of Courtesan, Crisolles, and Walk Close, drew posts 7, 9, and 10 in the 11-horse field, which includes one horse entered for the main track only.
KEY CONTENDERS
Mutatis Mutandis (Beyer: 91)
◗ When she finished sixth in the Group 1 Pretty Polly Stakes in June at The Curragh, Mutatis Mutandis broke “15 lengths slow,” according to Walker, who also believes she might have hit her head on the gate because she had blood coming from her mouth. She was beaten 2 3/4 lengths in that race.
◗ In her final overseas race, the Group 3 September Stakes at Kempton, she was beaten five lengths by the colt Jack Hobbs, who recently finished third – right behind BC Turf winner Found – in the Group 1 Champion Stakes.
Goldy Espony (Last 3 Beyers: 65-95-92)
◗ Reeled off three consecutive victories – including two at 1 1/2 miles – before finishing last as the favorite in the Grade 3 Glens Falls at Saratoga.
“She missed a little time with a foot issue, but she’s been training well since,” Brown said. “Seems like a logical spot.”
Danza Cavallo (Last 3 Beyers: 97-93-78)
◗ She was beaten a neck in this race last year and comes off a second-place finish behind Stephanie’s Kitten in the Flower Bowl.
◗ Her best races have come on less-than-firm footing.
“Obviously was flattered by Stephanie’s Kitten winning the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf,” Brown said. “With a clear forecast, it wouldn’t be as desirable for Danza Cavallo, but we are planning on running.”
Interrupted (Last 3 Beyers: 87-75-72)
◗ Has gone 2 for 2 since the addition of blinkers and is 4 for 4 with jockey Matthew Rispoli in the irons. Rispoli is named to ride Saturday.
◗ Pedigree suggests the stretch-out to 1 1/2 miles is within reach.