Daily Racing Form National Digital Edition
Quick turnaround for Morticia
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – What Morticia lacks in size she makes up for in spunk. On Monday, the spunky little 3-year-old filly seeks her fourth stakes victory in the $100,000 Coronation Cup going 5 1/2 furlongs over the Mellon turf course at Saratoga.
Morticia is so small that trainer Rusty Arnold said she “can’t see over the webbing in her stall.” But get into a fight with the daughter of Twirling Candy, and she grows into a monster.
Such was the case in the Soaring Softly Stakes at Belmont Park on May 20. After taking over in upper stretch, it appeared that Morticia was about to be overtaken by Lull. Morticia, racing along the inside, fought back and won by a nose.
“She was gutsy that day,” Arnold said. “It looked like she was beat the whole way down the stretch, and she just kept digging in and digging in.”
Arnold, based in Kentucky, had planned to bring Morticia back to Belmont for the Wild Applause Stakes going a mile on June 24. With an unfavorable weather forecast, Arnold kept Morticia home. He looked like a genius when the Wild Applause was transferred to the dirt.
Arnold decided to run Morticia in the Stormy Blues Stakes going 5 1/2 furlongs at Laurel, and she chased the rank frontrunner, Smiling Causeway, before taking over inside the sixteenth pole. That race was on July 15, and the short turnaround is the only thing that has Arnold concerned.
“I’m running her back quick, but she sure looks like she appeared to come out of her race at Laurel well, and she’s done everything right here,” Arnold said.
Morticia will break from post 8 under Jose Lezcano.
Epping Forest, a New Yorkbred daughter of Exchange Rate, is 3 for 3 in sprints on the turf. Most recently, she finished third in a first-level allowance going a mile at Belmont on June 21.
“Five and a half [furlongs] might be a little bit on the short side,” trainer Christophe Clement said. “The faster they, go the better.” Jose Ortiz rides from post 6. Let It Ride Mom, Hidden
Mystery, No More Babies, Heavenly Score, India Mantuana, Yorkiepoo Princess, and Lady Alexandra complete the field.
KEY CONTENDERS
Morticia, by Twirling Candy
Last 3 Beyers: 85-85-81
◗ She is 4 for 5 on turf, with her lone loss coming in the Grade 3 Appalachian, a race that has since produced five stakes winners, including Belmont Oaks winner New Money Honey.
◗ Could be the speed of the race depending on whether No More Babies transfers her dirt speed to the grass.
Epping Forest, by Exchange Rate Last 3 Beyers: 82-81-79
◗ She is 3 for 3 at six furlongs or shorter and would benefit if the pace is hot early.
◗ Had a very good workout over the Belmont Park turf course on July 15.
Hidden Mystery, by Into Mischief Last 2 Beyers: 73-75
◗ Won her career debut by a nose at Gulfstream and then came back and just missed when rallying from well back to be second in the Crank It Up Stakes at Monmouth Park last out.
◗ Picks up the red-hot rider Irad Ortiz Jr.