Salty wins return, targets La Troienne

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Salty, who was competitive with the best 3-year-old fillies of 2017, likely will be pointed to the Grade 1 La Troienne on the May 4 Kentucky Oaks undercard after a successful return to action Thursday at Gulfstream. Mark Casse trains the Quality Road filly for Gary Barber and partners.

“I’d like to have something in between,” Casse said Friday morning. “Gary and I will have that conversation later on. She’s already a Grade 2 winner, and obviously the goal this year is to make her a Grade 1 winner.”

Ridden by Tyler Gaffalione, Salty rallied for a two-length victory in the second-level allowance, earning an 84 Beyer Speed Figure for finishing a one-turn mile in 1:37.05. The race was her first since the Sept. 23 Cotillion, her fifth Grade 1 start in a row.

“Tyler couldn’t have ridden her any better,” Casse said. “He was extremely happy with her. He said she barely got out of second gear. Going a mile off a layoff isn’t easy. I thought it was a very good start to her year.”