Toinette primed for Belmont Oaks Invitational

ELMONT, N.Y. – The complexion of the 3-year-old female turf division changed significantly when Toinette made a dramatic rally to nail the previously undefeated Rushing Fall on the wire in the Grade 3 Edgewood Stakes on May 4 at Churchill Downs.

While Rushing Fall is being aimed at the Lake George Stakes on July 20 at Saratoga, Toinette looks to continue her ascension in the division against nine rivals Saturday in a solid renewal of the Grade 1, $1 million Belmont Oaks Invitational at Belmont Park.

Toinette overcame a slow start and made up five lengths in the final furlong to nip Rushing Fall in the Edgewood for her third consecutive victory.

“I was quite surprised she was able to get up and win from where she was in the stretch,” trainer Neil Drysdale said.

The Oaks was the target for Toinette since that day, and she has been based in New York for nearly two months, working four times over the Belmont turf course. One of those works was done in company with La Sardane, who won last Saturday’s Perfect Sting Stakes for her second consecutive stakes win at Belmont. In that work, Toinette galloped out stronger than La Sardane.

“I’ve been there, and I think she’s training well,” said Drysdale, noting that in a six-furlong workout Sunday that was timed in 1:18.22, Toinette didn’t do much owing to the hot weather.

Drysdale said he purposely gave Toinette ample time between the Edgewood and the Oaks because he had run her back in 23 days going into the Edgewood. On Saturday, Toinette, a daughter of Scat Daddy, is stretching out from 1 1/16 miles to 1 1/4 miles.

“She’s bred to go a mile and a quarter,” Drysdale said. “She settles very well in her races. It does appear the Scat Daddies do anything you wish.”

Toinette will break from post 5 under Flavien Prat.

Trainer Chad Brown has won the Belmont Oaks five times since 2012, when the race was known as the Garden City and run in the fall. While Brown is keeping Rushing Fall in the barn, he will run Significant Form and Mighty Scarlett, second and third behind La Signare in the Grade 3 Wonder Again Stakes here June 7.

Brown did not offer any excuse for Significant Form’s loss at 4-5 in the Wonder Again but said she is deserving of another opportunity.

“She had every chance to win turning for home,” Brown said. “That said, she just didn’t run her race. She was training well coming into the race, so I don’t have any excuse for that, but on race day, that filly, she just didn’t fire the way she’s capable of.”

La Signare lost to Toinette in a Keeneland allowance before winning the Wonder Again while loose on the lead. Trainer Brian Lynch has loved the way La Signare has galloped out in her workouts, giving him confidence she can get 1 1/4 miles.

Fatale Bere finished a head behind Significant Form when they were fifth and fourth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf. Capla Temptress was only two lengths behind that pair. Paved beat Fatale Bere in the Grade 2 Honeymoon. Thewayiam is a three-time stakes winner this year. Athena wheels back in six days after running third in the Grade 1 Pretty Polly Stakes in Ireland. Chipolata completes the field.

KEY CONTENDERS

Toinette, by Scat Daddy
Last 3 Beyers: 91-88-75

◗ Showed an explosive turn of foot in the stretch to win the Edgewood. Two horses from that race, Got Stormy and Beyond Blame, have come back to win a total of three stakes.

La Signare, by Siyouni
Beyers: 94-87

◗ After losing by a half-length to Toinette in an allowance race at Keeneland, she came back to wire the field in the Wonder Again.

◗ Gallops out strongly in her works, suggesting she can handle the extra distance.

Thewayiam, by Thewayyouare
Last 3 Beyers: 90-88-85

◗ Has three stakes wins this year and just lost a neck decision to Got Stormy in the Penn Oaks. Has yet to race beyond a mile.

“She’s either going to get a mile and a quarter or she’s not,” trainer Graham Motion said. “I wouldn’t bet against her the way she’s done so far. She just shows up.”

◗ With Jose Ortiz electing to ride Mighty Scarlett, John Velazquez picks up the mount.

Significant Form, Creative Cause
Last 3 Beyers: 92-91-79

◗ Ran a bit flat when beaten a length by La Signare in the Wonder Again.

◗ Breaking from rail, she may be put into the race early by Irad Ortiz Jr.

Fatale Bere, by Pedro the Great
Last 3 Beyers: 59-88-68

◗ Form is a bit spotty, but she closed really well and galloped out extremely strongly in beating Paved in the Grade 3 Providencia in April.

◗ Her saddle slipped and she was being strangled by Angel Quinonez when finishing last as the favorite in the Honeymoon last time out. Kent Desormeaux picks up the mount.