Near England seeks stakes win No. 5 in Zastrow Stutenpreis

Near England, a 4-year-old Irish-bred filly, tries to win her fifth stakes and first at the Group 2 level in Saturday’s $83,314 T. Von Zastrow Stutenpreis for fillies and mares at 1 1/2 miles on turf at Baden-Baden Racecourse in Germany.

The winner will receive a fees-paid berth to the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf through the Breeders’ Cup Win and You’re In program.

A start in the Grade 1 BC Filly and Mare Turf would be a leap in class for any of the 11 fillies and mares entered in the Zastrow Stutenpreis. The 3-year-old fillies Magera and Tusked Wings were second and fourth in the Group 1 German Oaks at Dusseldorf on Aug. 6, but have not won at that level. Tusked Wings won the Group 2 Diana-Trial on June 4.

Near England won the Group 3 German St. Leger at 1 3/4 miles on turf last September and won a listed stakes at 1 3/8 miles on turf on Aug. 6. Son Macia was fourth in that field and returns to action in the Zastrow Stutenpreis.