Paola Queen still on fence for Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint

ELMONT, N.Y. – Paola Queen, the upset winner of the Grade 1 Test at Saratoga, worked a half-mile in 48.71 seconds Friday over the Belmont Park main track, a move that could lead to a start in the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint.

Paola Queen, with Javier Castellano up for trainer Gustavo Delgado, worked outside of Linda Mimi. They went the first quarter in 24.57 and the second quarter in 24.14. Paola Queen galloped out five furlongs in 1:01.01, six furlongs in 1:14.21, and seven furlongs in 1:28.49.

“I like the way she galloped out, very strong,” said Castellano, who is not the regular rider of Paola Queen. “I was satisfied with the way she did it today. Usually, I don’t work her too much. He asked me to do him a favor.”

Delgado said he was pleased with the work and most likely will wait to make a decision regarding the Breeders’ Cup following a workout next Friday. Delgado said if the decision is made to bypass the Breeders’ Cup, Paola Queen would be pointed to a race during the Gulfstream Park winter meet.

Paola Queen is coming out of a last-place finish in the Grade 1 Beldame, run over a muddy track.