Padilla weighing options for Nature's Candy

Though her next start is still up in the air, Nature’s Candy is sure to return to open company at Parx Racing this month. Trainer Hugo Padilla is still deciding between two spots for his 5-year-old mare, who earned her first stakes victory against Pennsylvania-breds in the $75,000 Disco Chick last month.

“I think she’s ready for whatever comes,” Padilla said. “The way she came back, the way she’s responding right now, she’s on her best time. She’s doing really good.”

Earlier this year, Nature’s Candy showed flashes of improved ability while switching between surfaces, but since settling in on dirt at Parx, she has come alive to win her last two races. She won the seven-furlong Disco Chick by 2 1/2 lengths off a two-week break, having delivered a career-best performance at a mile to win by six lengths in allowance company on Oct. 7.

“I was very impressed with that last performance because I ran back to back and she fired both times,” Padilla said. “Gave her a little breather to see where we are and she responded pretty good. She’s ready to go.”

Padilla said that his primary plan is to enter the mare in an allowance at Parx on Nov. 19, where she could stretch back out to a mile. He will also nominate her for the $75,000 Cornucopia Handicap, one of five stakes scheduled at Parx on Nov. 26. The 6 1/2-furlong distance would be a challenge for Nature’s Candy, but Padilla said that her current form justifies consideration against local stakes rivals in open company.

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