Noble Damsel suitable spot for Coffee Clique
Coffee Clique, who surpassed $1 million in earnings earlier this summer, breaks from the rail and heads a field of nine fillies and mares entered in Saturday’s $200,000 Noble Damsel at Belmont Park.
Coffee Clique is well suited to one mile on the Widener turf. She reached the pinnacle of her career winning the Grade 1 Just a Game over the same layout in 2014 prior to undergoing bone remodeling, which sidelined her until early spring. On July 4, the Brian Lynch-trained mare captured the Dr. James Penny Memorial at Parx to run her bankroll to seven figures, and she followed with a good effort eight weeks later when beaten less than two lengths, finishing fifth in the Ballston Spa.
Noble Damsel contender Lady Lara won the Pebbles Stakes in her U.S. debut over this turf course last fall and has run in Grade 1 or Grade 2 stakes in five straight starts since then. She faced Coffee Clique in her first three outings this season, beginning with a game win in the Grade 2 Honey Fox at Gulfstream Park.
Under the weight-allowance conditions, Coffee Clique and Lady Lara each carry 123 pounds in the Noble Damsel and concede three to seven pounds to their opponents: Baffle Me, Crowley’s Law, Devilish Love, Marbre Rose, Miss Frost, Recepta, and Tuttipaesi.
Marbre Rose, coming off a win in the Grade 3 Seaway on Woodbine’s synthetic surface, is the only other graded stakes winner in the lineup.
Recepta, a stretch runner who won the Chelsea Flower going a mile on the Widener two years ago, looms a late threat after charging from off the pace to win the De La Rose at Saratoga in a career-best performance.
The Grade 3 Noble Damsel is race 8 on a 10-race program and the second leg of a late pick four with a $300,000-guaranteed pool. Post time for the Noble Damsel is 4:46 Eastern.
KEY CONTENDERS
Coffee Clique (Last 3 Beyers: 97-94-95)
◗ Through eight races on five different turf courses over the past two years, all her Beyer Speed Figures have been in the 92-98 range.
Lady Lara (Last 3 Beyers: 90-97-86)
◗ Both of her U.S. wins have come at a mile, including a mild upset over Coffee Clique in the Honey Fox.
◗ A deep closer, her best chance comes if Miss Frost establishes a lively early pace.
Marbre Rose (Last 3 Beyers: 91-93-90)
◗ Has won or placed in five of her six U.S. starts, the exception when caught five wide in the Honey Fox.
Recepta (Last 3 Beyers: 92-88-90)
◗ Could be the “now” filly after a decisive win in the De La Rose over Tuttipaesi.
“She broke cleanly and got a nice spot ... and was able to come through,” said trainer Jimmy Toner.