War Cabinet should relish more ground

ELMONT, N.Y. – Trainer Shug McGaughey has seen improvement from War Cabinet in each of her three starts in the U.S. He’s hoping that improvement continues Friday when War Cabinet faces seven opponents in a first-level allowance scheduled for 1 1/4 miles over Belmont Park’s inner turf course.

War Cabinet, a daughter of War Front, began her career last year in France. After running third for Jean-Claude Rouget in her debut, War Cabinet was sent to McGaughey by ownerbreeder Joe Allen.

War Cabinet finished eighth in a one-mile maiden race at Keeneland in April, getting stuck behind horses entering the first turn and never threatening the loose-on-the-lead winner Necessary.

In two starts at Saratoga – both at 1 3/16 miles – War Cabinet won a maiden race then finished third to the graded stakes-placed Mighty Scarlett in her first start against winners.

McGaughey called War Cabinet’s first race “a mess.” McGaughey said jockey Javier Castellano “was trying to get position going into the first turn, they all backed up in his face and she wanted farther.”

“Her next race was good and her next race was good,” he said.

McGaughey was also pleased with War Cabinet’s work over the Belmont turf on Sunday.

“She worked really good here Sunday on the grass and it had a little give in it,” McGaughey said. “I think she’s doing really well and I don’t think it matters what type of course it is.”

Lady Paname and Pivotal Connections, two 4-year-old fillies formerly based in Europe, head the competition.

Semper Sententiae and Silver Shaker top the locally based competition.

KEY CONTENDERS

War Cabinet, by War Front Last 3 Beyers: 82-74-63

◗ Has improved with more distance and gets to run 1 1/4 miles for the first time on Friday.

◗ Did get bumped in stretch of last race.

◗ Could be compromised by an apparent lack of pace.

Lady Paname, by Soldier of Fortune

◗ Chad Brown trainee makes her U.S. debut and first start since she finished fourth in the Group 2 Prix Chaudenay in Chantilly. The winner of that race, Ice Breeze, came back to win a Group 1 in her next start. The runner-up, Call To Mind, won the Belmont Gold Cup here in June for the Queen of England.

◗ In the spring, Lady Paname worked head and head with A Raving Beauty, who is now a Grade 1 winner for Brown.

Semper Sententiae, by The Factor Beyers: 81-71

◗ Comes back 20 days after attending a slow pace to win her maiden going 1 1/4 miles here.

Goodbye Brockley, by Cosmonaut Last 3 Beyers: 82-79-83

◗ A New York Stallion Stakes winner, she was beaten only 1 3/4 lengths in an opencompany allowance when racing three wide on both turns and being bumped twice in the stretch.

◗ Trainer Phil Serpe said he would prefer if the turf would firm up a bit.

“I probably sound like an idiot because when it’s listed as good or yielding she won two races,” Serpe said. “But it seems like she struggled a little bit with it. She’s coming into the race good, so hopefully she’ll run well.”