Namaste's Wish stays perfect on turf in Miss Grillo

ELMONT, N.Y. - In Prussian, trainer Bill Mott already has one of the leading contenders for the new $1 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf. In Namaste's Wish, he may have one of Prussian's major challengers.

Namaste's Wish, a full sister to Grade 1 dirt winner Purge, may have earned a spot in the Juvenile Turf at Monmouth Park on Oct. 26 with a three-quarter-length victory over Sea Chanter in Sunday's $81,900 Miss Grillo Stakes at Belmont Park.

It was the second victory in as many turf starts for Namaste's Wish, who struggled mightily in her first two career starts on dirt, losing both by a combined 37 1/4 lengths.

"The thought of running her on the turf has always been in the back of my mind," Mott said. "Because of her pedigree, I thought she would handle the dirt well, but all she did in those first two starts was fight over the dirt. Obviously, she has handled the grass well. We may consider running her in the Breeders' Cup before putting her away for the year."

In the Miss Grillo, Namaste's Wish raced up close in fourth down the backside under Kent Desormeaux while Sherine set the pace and Sea Chanter stalked her. Sea Chanter, under John Velazquez, took the lead in upper stretch, while Kent Desormeaux was getting Namaste's Wish off the rail. Namaste's Wish rallied past Sea Chanter outside the sixteenth pole to gain the victory.

Namaste's Wish, purchased for $600,000 at auction by Live Oak Plantation, covered the 1 1/16 miles in 1:40.49 over firm ground and returned $8.30 as the third choice.