Paola Queen shifts sights to Beldame

ELMONT, N.Y. – Paola Queen, the upset winner of the Grade 1 Test at Saratoga, was not one of the six 3-year-old fillies entered Monday for Saturday’s Grade 1, $1 million Cotillion Stakes at Parx.

Instead, Paola Queen will be pointed to the Grade 1, $400,000 Beldame on Oct. 1 at Belmont Park. Though Paola Queen will be taking on older fillies and mares in that 1 1/16-mile race, trainer Gustavo Delgado said it might be easier than facing Songbird, Cathryn Sophia, and Carina Mia in the Cotillion.

Also, Delgado said that running in the Beldame means Paola Queen doesn’t have to travel, and the filly has had issues when she’s had to ship, Delgado said.

The big names nominated to the Beldame are Cavorting, Curalina, and Forever Unbridled. However, Cavorting and Curalina are scheduled to train up to the Breeders’ Cup Distaff, while Forever Unbridled is more likely to run in the Grade 1 Spinster at Keeneland to keep racing around two turns.