Sharp debut winner Mainstay likely headed to Saratoga
The 2-year-old filly Mainstay won her career debut June 4 at Monmouth like a future stakes horse, and trainer Butch Reid said she could wind up in the Grade 3 Schuylerville on July 15 at Saratoga.
Racing over a sloppy track, Mainstay made the lead before the turn and drew smartly away, showing excellent speed, to post a 7 3/4-length victory in a five-furlong maiden race. She earned a 72 Beyer Speed Figure while winning without being asked.
“More than likely heads to Saratoga,” said Reid. “Probably the Schuylerville.”
Mainstay is the first winner for her first-crop sire, the Australian-bred Astern, and is a half-sister to champion filly Vequist.
“She’s a really different body type than her sister,” Reid said. “You could see right away with Vequist that she was going to be a route horse, tall with a big, long stride. This filly is a little smaller, a little more compact. She looks like seven-eighths to a mile. She’s got a very good head on her shoulders, very professional.”