Off the Tracks, Kareena get second chance in Prioress

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – The connections of Off the Tracks and Kareena probably wanted a do-over after the Test Stakes, where those two 3-year-old fillies dueled each other into defeat. Off the Tracks finished third, while Kareena finished sixth behind Paola Queen, who took advantage of the suicidal pace to score a 55-1 upset victory.

On Sunday, Off the Tracks and Kareena will get their do-over in the Grade 2, $300,000 Prioress Stakes for 3-year-old fillies going six furlongs at Saratoga.

Despite her third-place finish in the Test, Off the Tracks did well to lose by only a length after setting fractions of 21.74 seconds and 43.50 for the opening half-mile of the seven-furlong race. She actually was in front after six furlongs in 1:08.59 but weakened late.

Trainer Todd Pletcher said the Prioress was a logical spot for Off the Tracks “the way she ran in the Test.”

“She certainly showed she’s fast enough,” he said.

At 2, Off the Tracks won the Grade 3 Schuylerville going six furlongs here. Prior to the Test, Off the Tracks won the Grade 1 Mother Goose at 1 1/16 miles at Belmont.

Off the Tracks will break from post 7 in the 10-horse Prioress field under Jose Ortiz.

Kareena won the Jersey Girl Stakes at Belmont from slightly off an extremely hot pace. In the Test, under Javier Castellano, Kareena was part of that hot pace.

“Javier felt like Jose sent Off the Tracks, and not only sent, was yahooing and making noise, and that caused our filly to go fast, too,” said Kiaran McLaughlin, the trainer of Kareena, who will break from post 9 in the Prioress. “I’m happy she’s outside, and Javier gets a mulligan. We will definitely want to take back a little bit – there’s a ton of pace.”

McLaughlin also will run Takrees, who is one of the few bona fide closers in the field, and Coniah, who ships in from Southern California with speed and drew the rail.

Coppa, another Southern California shipper, is 3 for 3, including a victory in the Grade 3 Victory Ride Stakes at Belmont in July.

Lucy N Ethel, also 3 for 3, is making her first start since winning the Old Hat Stakes at Gulfstream in January. Trained by Ramon Preciado then, Lucy N Ethel now has Chloe Bradley, a Preciado assistant, as her trainer of record.

The Prioress goes as race 11 of 12 on a card that begins at 12:30 p.m. Eastern.

Key Contenders

Off the Tracks, by Curlin

Last 3 Beyers: 87-96-96

◗ Put away Kareena at the top of the stretch after a scorching half-mile in the Test but couldn’t hold off Paola Queen and Lightstream.

◗ Showed the ability to press the pace and finish in the Schuylerville here last summer.

Kareena, by Medaglia d’Oro

Last 3 Beyers: 65-96-84

◗ Her performance in the Jersey Girl Stakes would be good enough to win this.

◗ McLaughlin doesn’t feel she has to be part of the early pace.

“She relaxes great in the mornings,” he said. “She has a great mind. We’re hoping she cooperates with Javier.”

Coppa, by Yesbyjimminy

Last 3 Beyers: 85-87-80

◗ Won her first two races on the pace in Southern California before coming from off the pace to win the Victory Ride over next-out winner Malibu Stacy at Belmont on July 9.

“She’s shown to be a really versatile filly in the mornings,” trainer Phil D’Amato said. “She can stalk and pounce, or she can make the pace; it depends on the scenario of the race.”

◗ Joe Talamo will be making his Saratoga debut in this spot.