Prioress distance a question for Bar of Gold

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Though Bar of Gold won her first two starts sprinting, trainer John Kimmel always thought the New York-bred daughter of Medaglia d’Oro would ultimately be better going a route of ground. So far, that hasn’t been the case.

Coming off a very strong second-place finish in the Grade 1 Test going seven furlongs, Bar of Gold will shorten up to six furlongs for Sunday’s Grade 2, $300,000 Prioress Stakes.

Bar of Gold drew post 7 in an 11-horse field for the Prioress, which is topped by Test winner Cavorting, who drew post 10.

Bar of Gold pressed the pace in the Test and opened up a 1 1/2-length lead in midstretch before being passed by Cavorting.

“I know it doesn’t always translate, but she was in front at the eighth pole by two or three lengths in the Test Stakes,” Kimmel said. “I’m sure there’ll be more speed and the pace scenario in this three-quarter race will be different than what we saw in the Test, but I’m confident the filly is doing well, and I’m sure she’s going to come back and give us another good run. Whether she’s able to be best at three-quarters I think she’s going to have to prove that to me.”

There does appear to be plenty of other speed in the field, including Ekati’s Phaeton, Sky Gold, Promise Me Silver, and Tricky Zippy.

The remainder of the field is Clothes Fall Off, Fusaichi Red, Hot City Girl, Irish Jasper, and Paid Up Subscriber.