My Cara Mia faces five in Thursday feature
ELMONT, N.Y. – My Cara Mia, winless in her last four attempts at third-level allowances, may be in her softest spot yet in that condition when she faces five opponents in Thursday’s feature at Belmont Park.
My Cara Mia ran against Roca Rojo (4 for 5), All in Fun (stakes-placed), Sentiero Italia (Grade 2 winner), and Robillard (graded-stakes-placed) in those last four outings. She was kept in abeyance early by jockey Paco Lopez in her most recent start Sept. 15, when she finished second behind 1-5 favorite Roca Rojo. My Cara Mia could be seen throwing her head two or three times down the backside.
“I thought she could have won last time,” trainer Mitch Friedman said. “She was checked five times in a five-horse field.”
My Cara Mia on Thursday gets a rider switch to Javier Castellano, who will be aboard the filly for the first time.
Trainer Christophe Clement has the uncoupled Excilly and Quest in this field.
Excilly raced in Europe before coming to the U.S. She finished seventh and sixth in two stakes races at Saratoga when trained by Thomas Dascombe. Now owned by The Elkstone Group, Excilly has been transferred to Clement, who will start her for the first time in this spot.
“She was a bit rank in that last race, so we gave her a bit of time,” Clement said. “Hopefully, there is enough pace in the race for her to be more settled.”
Clement will also start Quest, who is coming off a second-level allowance win at Monmouth Park.
“She should love the one-turn mile,” Clement said.
Unbridled Courage and Dickinson could provide part of the pace. Mah Jong Maddness, winless in her last 18 starts, completes the field.
KEY CONTENDERS
My Cara Mia, by Colonel John
Last 3 Beyers: 89-88-84
◗ Seemed to resist early restraint and then let the heavily favored Roca Rojo get the jump on her when second in this condition Sept. 15.
◗ Has recorded two of her three victories at Belmont, including a second-level allowance score going a mile in May.
Excilly, by Excellent Art
Last 2 Beyers: 85-92
◗ Was multiple group-stakes-placed in Europe before coming to the U.S.
◗ Saddle slipped in the stretch of the De La Rose, where she was beaten 3 1/2 lengths. Jockey Julien Leparoux was unseated and broke his wrist.
◗ Shows a best-of-19 half-mile work in 47.80 over the Oklahoma turf course at Saratoga on Oct. 10.
Quest, by Mr. Sidney
Last 3 Beyers: 84-83-74
◗ Took advantage of an inside trip and a solid early pace to win a Monmouth allowance following a two-month freshening.
◗ Was no match for My Cara Mia the last time she faced her here in May.