Stageplay, Carina Mia get rematch in Golden Rod Stakes
RACE REPLAY IS NOT AVAILABLE
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Certain events that transpired last month at Keeneland surely will resonate with horseplayers when nine fillies line up Saturday for the 72nd running of the Grade 2, $200,000 Golden Rod Stakes at Churchill Downs.
Stageplay, the likely favorite in the 1 1/16-mile Golden Rod, won her career debut Oct. 10 at Keeneland, with Carina Mia finishing second. Carina Mia came back to set a track record for 6 1/2 furlongs over the still relatively new dirt surface at Keeneland in an Oct. 29 maiden race, finishing in 1:15.18 and earning a huge 97 Beyer Speed Figure.
Then, on Oct. 31, Dothraki Queen closed steadily to be a respectable third behind Songbird and Rachel’s Valentina in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies, further validating a victory in the Pocahontas Stakes at Churchill and a runner-up finish in the Alcibiades Stakes at Keeneland.
Dothraki Queen “continues to do everything easy,” said Ken McPeek, who trains the $35,000 yearling purchase for Magdalena Racing. “She’s very reminiscent of Take Charge Lady when she was 2,” a reference to the standout filly who went on to earn $2.4 million. “She’s a similarly bodied filly. She’s very focused and has just an amazing attitude.”
Dothraki Queen, named for a character on the popular HBO series “Game of Thrones,” might have to stay within hailing distance of Carina Mia since there doesn’t appear to be much other challenging speed in the field.
In the key Oct. 10 race, Carina Mia went to the lead and fended off several challengers but was unable to withstand the closing rush of Stageplay, whose morning works made her the 8-5 favorite that day.
“She acts like she’s a special filly,” said Steve Asmussen, who trains Stageplay for owner and breeder Mike Rutherford.
KEY CONTENDERS
Stageplay (Last 2 Beyers: 83-88)
◗ After her maiden score, Ricardo Santana Jr. simply kept her out of harm’s way when the distinctive gray filly looped the field in winning the Nov. 1 Rags to Riches on the first Stars of Tomorrow card of the Churchill meet in an eye-catching display of superiority as a 3-5 favorite.
Dothraki Queen (Last 3 Beyers: 87-70-74)
◗ Was never a threat behind the top two in the Breeders’ Cup, but hey, they’re the top two in the entire division; must overcome the outside post here under leading jockey Corey Lanerie.
Carina Mia (Last 2 Beyers: 97-81)
◗ Difficult to gauge that 97 Beyer, which is the highest earned by any horse on this Saturday card; steps up considerably in class while taking on more ground.