Off strong QEII second, Lindy considered for Breeders' Cup
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Lindy probably earned a trip to the Breeders’ Cup with a closing second-place finish Saturday in the Grade 1 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup.
The French-bred filly, second in the Group 1 Poule d’Essai des Pouliches (French 1000 Guineas) before being sent to trainer Brendan Walsh in America, was coming hard at pacesetting Mawj in the QE II, and while her rally fell a half-length short in that 1 1/8-mile race, Lindy earned a strong 99 Beyer Speed Figure.
Walsh said Sunday that he needed to confer with Lindy’s French owners before picking a next start for her. The American Oaks at Santa Anita also could be considered, but Walsh sounded like the 1 1/4-mile BC Filly and Mare Turf could be the target.
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Lindy could be one of three Breeders’ Cup starters for Walsh, who said that Pretty Mischievous was being trained toward the Distaff.
Pretty Mischievous won the Kentucky Oaks, the Grade 1 Acorn, and the Grade 1 Test before finishing second Sept. 23 in the Grade 1 Cotillion at Parx Racing. She had her first work since that race when she breezed Oct. 12 at Churchill Downs and Walsh said the Godolphin filly is “training great.”
Walsh’s third Breeders’ Cup runner is Austere, who goes in the Juvenile Fillies Turf. Austere won her debut in an Ellis Park turf route before cruising to a three-length win Sept. 10 at Kentucky Downs in the rich Juvenile Fillies. Walsh declined to run Austere in an October race, deciding weeks ago to train Austere up to the Breeders’ Cup.
◗ There still was no word as of Monday whether QE II winner Mawj would target the BC Mile or the Filly and Mare Turf. Mawj won the English 1000 Guineas over a straight mile in May and might have been at the end of her distance limits going 1 1/8 miles in the QE II, where she ran a strong and brave race.
◗ Bold Act, like Mawj an overseas Godolphin shipper, could have the Sheema Classic on the Dubai World Cup card in late March as a long-term goal, connections said. Three-year-old Bold Act won the 1 1/2-mile Sycamore on Friday at Keeneland.
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