Stablemates Dacita, Sea Calisi enter New York on equal terms
ELMONT, N.Y. – Very little separates Dacita from Sea Calisi. Last year, when the two met in the New York Stakes, the margin was three-quarters of a length. Judging by first impressions this year, the gap seems to have narrowed.
More will be revealed Friday when Dacita and Sea Calisi head a nine-horse field entered in the Grade 2, $500,000 New York, one of five stakes on an 11-race card that begins at 12:50 p.m. Eastern. The New York, which goes as race 9, is the first leg of a daily double wager linking to Saturday’s Grade 1 Metropolitan Handicap. There is also a two-day daily double wager linking Friday’s Belmont Gold Cup (race 10) with Saturday’s Belmont Stakes.
Chad Brown, who trains both Dacita and Sea Calisi, has a difficult time distinguishing which one has the edge entering the New York. Dacita lost her seasonal debut by a head to Hawksmoor in the Grade 3 Beaugay, run over yielding turf. Sea Calisi was a sharp 2 1/2-length winner of the Grade 2 Sheepshead Bay over yielding turf, the kind of surface she prefers.
“It could come down to ground,” Brown said. “Dacita prefers firm ground, Sea Calisi prefers cut in the ground. With that said, they’re both top-class horses, Grade 1 winners – they’re good enough to run on ground they don’t prefer and still run well.”
The ever-changing weather forecast calls for dry conditions this week, with a 50 percent chance of scattered storms Friday afternoon. The turf course likely will be on the good side of firm.
From a speed-figure standpoint, Sea Calisi hit a new top in the Sheepshead Bay, earning a 105 Beyer for her dominant victory. Florent Geroux, who rode Sea Calisi to victory in the Grade 1 Beverly D. last summer, is reunited with her Friday as Irad Ortiz Jr. stays with Dacita.
Nine horses were entered for the New York, but Sassy Little Lila was cross-entered in Saturday’s Grade 1 Just a Game and could run there instead.
New York, Race 9
KEY CONTENDERS
Dacita, by Scat Daddy
Last 3 Beyers: 100-99-101
◗ Came off an eight-month layoff to run a solid second in the Beaugay over yielding turf, ground she doesn’t prefer.
◗ Won this race last year with a strong late run to get up over stablemates Sea Calisi and Guapaza.
Sea Calisi, by Youmazin
Last 3 Beyers: 105-96-98
◗ Had a difficult trip when second in this race last year, bottled up on the inside and hemmed in for the stretch run while only losing by three-quarters of a length.
◗ May move up on softer ground but certainly is a contender on firm footing.
Suffused, by Champs Elysees
Last 3 Beyers: 101-99-97
◗ The chart-caller accurately described her getting caught in a “blind switch” when stuck behind horses at the top of stretch in the Sheepshead Bay while Sea Calisi got the jump on her turning for home.
“The other filly got first run on us and opened up and beat us by 2 1/2,” trainer Bill Mott said. “We still made up ground on her. This is a competitive race; it’s a good race.”
◗ Gets a rider switch to Jose Ortiz, who has four wins and two seconds aboard the mare.
Quidura, by Dubawi
Last 3 Beyers: 97-96-92
◗ Stretches out to 10 furlongs for the first time after finishing a close third behind Dickinson and Lady Eli in the Grade 1 Jenny Wiley. Did win a one-mile allowance over this course in her U.S. debut last fall.
◗ Picks up Javier Castellano.
