Thank You Marylou needs big effort in Raven Run for BC consideration

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Thank You Marylou apparently is the only one of 13 3-year-old fillies in the Raven Run Stakes likely to wheel back two weeks later in the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint in case of a big effort.

But that in itself will take some doing, as the opposition in the seven-furlong Saturday feature at Keeneland includes such talented foes as Miss Behaviour, Cassatt, and Pirate’s Trove.

The connections of Miss Behaviour said months ago they intend to wait until 2015 to consider the Filly and Mare Sprint, while trainer Larry Jones ruled out any Breeders’ Cup race for this year after Cassatt ran fifth to Untapable in the Grade 1 Cotillion on Sept. 20.

The Breeders’ Cup also is not on the radar for Pirate’s Trove, an unbeaten Speightstown filly whose three wins have come on Polytrack. In fact, trainer Mike Stidham had hoped to run her Monday in the Pebbles Stakes on the Belmont Park turf, but a missed workout scuttled that.

“I had a turf work scheduled [Oct. 7 at Keeneland] that was rained off, so I worked her on the dirt, and she worked phenomenal,” said Stidham, referring to a five-furlong breeze in 59 seconds. “That is when we shifted gears to supplement to the Raven Run [for a $7,500 fee].”

From the rail, this is the field for the 16th running of the Grade 2, $250,000 Raven Run: Milam, Thank You Marylou, Taketheodds, Pirate’s Trove, Taris, Divided Attention, Shay Jolie, Cassatt, Courageous Julie, La Madrina, Miss Behaviour, Sweet Whiskey, and Bajan.

Trainer Mike Maker said Wednesday that he and owner Ken Ramsey have not yet discussed the Breeders’ Cup for Thank You Marylou, but he added, “I imagine if she runs big Saturday, we’ll have that talk.”

The Raven Run is carded as the ninth of 10 Saturday races.