Painting Corners ahead in the count in Sen. Maddy Stakes

ARCADIA, Calif. – About 45 minutes after Axelrod starts in Saturday’s Breeders’ Cup Classic at Churchill Downs, the 4-year-old filly Painting Corners will run in the Grade 3 Sen. Ken Maddy Stakes on the hillside turf course at Santa Anita.

Painting Corners is co-owned by Nick Cosato’s Slam Dunk Racing and trainer Peter Miller, who races as Altamira Racing Stable. Slam Dunk Racing owns Axelrod and would gladly delay watching Painting Corners in the $100,000 Maddy Stakes if he’s too busy celebrating an upset win at Churchill Downs.

“I would love it if that’s where I am,” Cosato said Thursday morning from Kentucky. “I would be delighted if I had to miss her race.”

While Axelrod will be a longshot in the BC Classic, Painting Corners will be well backed to win her stakes debut in the Maddy Stakes for fillies and mares at about 6 1/2 furlongs on turf.

The race drew a field of 10, including a $2,000 supplemental entry of I’m Betty G, a stakes winner this year at Canterbury Park and Ellis Park for Kentucky-based trainer Mike Maker.

The 3-year-old filly Travieza, who won the Unzip Me Stakes on the hillside course Sept. 29, and Storm the Hill, winner of the Grade 3 Wilshire Stakes for fillies and mares on turf in June, merit strong consideration.

KEY CONTENDERS

Painting Corners, by Pleasant Strike
Last 3 Beyers: 94-91-83

◗ Painting Corners has won 3 of 6 starts on the hillside, including an allowance race with a $75,000 claiming option on Oct. 6. Add a win in a five-furlong optional claimer on turf on Aug. 24 at Del Mar, and Painting Corners enters the Maddy in a position to win a third consecutive race for the first time in her career in her 15th start.

“Peter has pushed all the right buttons,” Cosato said. “She couldn’t be any sharper. We thought she was a hill horse, but she loved the sprint race at Del Mar as well.

“He’s got her in tip-top shape.”

◗ Painting Corners stalked the pace in the Oct. 6 race before taking the lead over crossing to the main turf course. She won by 2 1/4 lengths over Go On Mary, who is part of the Maddy field.

“She’s very versatile,” Cosato said of Painting Corners. “She can sit back and come with a run. She can make the lead.”

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Storm the Hill, by Get Stormy
Last 3 Beyers: 89-90-94

◗ After winning the Wilshire, Storm the Hill was fifth in the Grade 2 Yellow Ribbon Stakes at 1 1/16 miles on Aug. 4 at Del Mar and fourth in the Grade 3 Kentucky Downs Ladies Turf Stakes at a mile on Sept. 8.

◗ Trained by Phil D’Amato, Storm the Hill has won 2 of 3 starts on the hillside course in her 22-race career, including the 2017 Unzip Me Stakes. Storm the Hill is a threat from off the pace.

Travieza, by Into Mischief
Last 3 Beyers: 88-75-82

◗ Travieza won her stakes debut in the Unzip Me after disputing the pace. She figures to be forwardly placed.