Pocket Square might get shot at Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf after all
ELMONT, N.Y. – Pocket Square, the 2 1/2-length winner of the Grade 3 Athenia Stakes on Sept. 25, will be pre-entered for the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf, trainer Chad Brown said over the weekend.
Brown, who initially viewed Pocket Square as a middle-distance horse, has liked the way Pocket Square has performed at 1 1/8 miles in her last two starts, most notably the way she finished the Athenia. The Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf is run at 1 3/8 miles.
“Her last race really changed my mind a bit about her,” Brown said. “I thought she ran good at that distance, and the way she galloped out steady I think she really handled it. If she’s good enough or not I’m not sure, depending on who runs in there. It’s not a definite she’s going, but I want to take a look at it and see. I think going a mile and three-eighths she’ll be very forward in the race, so I kind of like that for her.”
Brown, who has won the Filly and Mare Turf four times, also has My Sister Nat, the Grade 3 Waya Stakes winner, pointing to the Filly and Mare Turf.
Brown said over the weekend that he is “leaning toward” pre-entering Blowout in the BC Mile. Blowout won the Grade 1 First Lady by a half-length over stablemate Regal Glory on Oct. 9 at Keenland.
Meanwhile, Brown said that Fluffy Socks, winner of Saturday’s Grade 2 Sands Point at Belmont, will be aimed to the Grade 1, $300,000 American Oaks on Dec. 26 at Santa Anita. Higher Truth, the runner-up in the Sands Point, will get a break and be prepared for a 4-year-old campaign.