Spendarella kicks off 4-year-old campaign in Distaff Turf Mile on Saturday

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Spendarella, among the top handful of North American 3-year-old turf fillies in 2022, is set to make her 4-year-old debut Saturday at Churchill Downs in the Distaff Turf Mile.

Spendarella won all four of her American starts in 2022, landing the Grade 3 Herecomesthebride, the Grade 2 Appalachian, and the Grade 1 Del Mar Oaks, which she won by 4 1/2 lengths. In June, Spendarella went to England and finished a fine second behind the high-class filly Inspiral in the Group 1 Coronation Stakes at the Royal Ascot meeting.

Subsequently given a break, Spendarella returned to action in the Aug. 20 Del Mar Oaks, her connections, Gainesway Farm and trainer Graham Motion, calling a halt to her campaign shortly after that race.

Motion has gotten 10 works into Spendarella: six in Florida and four at the Fair Hill training center in Maryland. The filly has worked six furlongs four times and is fit and ready to roll.

“I don’t think she needs a race,” Motion said Saturday.

Motion said there are no plans for a Royal Ascot race this summer. The long-term goal, if Spendarella develops through the year like she might, is the Breeders’ Cup Mile.

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