Sadler says Somerset West unlikely to start in Breeders' Cup race
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DEL MAR, Calif. - Somerset West recorded a career-defining win in the Grade 2 Music City Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Kentucky Downs on Saturday that has trainer John Sadler debating an autumn plan for the rapidly improving runner.
Somerset West closed from ninth of 12 to score a 19-1 upset in the $1.23 million Music City Stakes at 6 1/2 furlongs on turf.
Sadler said on Sunday that Somerset West is unlikely to start in a Breeders’ Cup race at Keeneland on Oct. 31. The distances of two possible races do not ideally fit Somerset West. The BC Turf Sprint is run at 5 1/2 furlongs, which may be too sharp for Somerset West. The BC Filly and Mare Turf at 1 3/16 miles is arguably farther than Somerset West’s preferred trip.
“There is not a Breeders’ Cup race for her,” Sadler said. “We need to look at what’s available at a mile.”
Sadler said that Somerset West is booked to return to California on Wednesday. The Sadler stable is in the midst of moving from Del Mar to Santa Anita this week. The Del Mar summer meeting had its final day on Sunday.
There is no hurry to start Somerset West in coming weeks. The temperature at Kentucky Downs was near 100 on Saturday. Somerset West has earned a brief rest.
“That’s a long trip and extreme heat,” Sadler said.
“She came out of it really well.”
Somerset West, who races for owner and breeder Keith Abrahams, has won 3 of 6 starts. The win in the Music City Stakes was worth $866,175, improving Somerset West’s career earnings to $1,056,375.
Somerset West has won her last three starts. She won a maiden race at 6 1/2 furlongs on turf at Santa Anita on June 6, and the Grade 2 San Clemente Handicap at a mile for 3-year-old fillies at Del Mar on July 18.
There are two graded stakes at a mile on turf in California that could suit Somerset West – the Grade 3 Goldikova Stakes worth $100,000 at Santa Anita on Oct. 31, or the Grade 1 Matriarch Stakes for fillies and mares at Del Mar on Nov. 29.
The $300,000 Matriarch Stakes is one of California's leading annual turf races for fillies and mares.
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