Weekend in Malibu could face males in Kingarvie

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – A pair of Woodbine trainers weren’t shy about trying their fillies against males in stakes races last weekend. Mark Casse and John Ross sent out the fillies Shez a Masterpiece and Brooklynsway to third- and fourth-place finishes in Saturday’s Coronation Futurity, and Casse also sent Queen’s Plate winner Lexie Lou out to a second-place finish behind Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes winner California Chrome in the Grade 1 Hollywood Derby at Del Mar on Saturday.

This Saturday’s $125,000 Kingarvie Stakes for Ontario-sired 2-year-olds could see another filly try her luck against males, as trainer Catherine Day Phillips said Weekend in Malibu is under strong consideration for the race.

“Certainly, we’re looking at it,” she said. “We don’t have to run. If the track is in decent shape and she’s doing well, then we will run. We’re waiting to see how the week unfolds, but we’re prepared.”

Weekend in Malibu has started her career strongly, winning the last two of her three career starts, all in sprints. In her last start Nov. 12, Weekend in Malibu powered home to a five-length victory in a first-level Ontario-sired allowance.

“She’s a lovely, lovely filly,” Day Phillips said. “I’d be happy to put her away, but I’d love to see her go two turns before the end of the season, which is why we’re looking at [the Kingarvie]. In the springtime, the races will be short for quite a while.”