Fair Maiden comes into Natalma off runaway victories

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Fair Maiden will look to win her third consecutive start and earn a berth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf in Sunday’s Grade 1, $250,000 Natalma Stakes for 2-year-old fillies over one mile on the E. P. Taylor turf course at Woodbine.

Fair Maiden has won her last two starts by a combined 21 3/4 lengths. On July 21, she won her maiden by 14 1/4 lengths in a five-furlong sprint at Arlington Park. She followed that with a 7 1/2-length win in the Catch a Glimpse Stakes at Woodbine on Aug. 17.

Fair Maiden handled yielding turf well in the Catch a Glimpse, which gave trainer Eoin Harty the confidence to send her back to Woodbine for the Natalma.

“After that, the Natalma became a prime consideration for her,” he said. “At this time of year, there are a lot of opportunities for 2-year-olds, but she got over the course up there really well.”

Fair Maiden returned to Arlington following the Catch a Glimpse. She breezed five furlongs in 1:02.00 on Sept. 10.

“She didn’t work that fast, but she worked very well,” Harty said. “I really don’t think she’ll have distance limitations, especially when it comes to a mile.”

As part of the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series, the Natalma winner will received a berth in the BC Juvenile Fillies Turf at Santa Anita on Nov. 1.

KEY CONTENDERS

Fair Maiden, by Street Boss Last 3 Beyers: 91-90-52

◗ Jockey Flavien Prat, who won the Queen’s Plate here aboard One Bad Boy earlier this year, takes over in the saddle for the injured Emma-Jayne Wilson.

◗ With the win in the Catch a Glimpse, Harty is now 5 for 27 at Woodbine dating back to 2005.

Walk In Marrakesh, by Siyouni Last 3 Beyers: NA-NA-NA

◗ She arrived at Woodbine on Monday night from Amsterdam with Natalma Stakes rival Diamond Sparkles.

◗ She won three consecutive starts in England over the summer, including her first stakes victory on July 25 at Sandown Park. Most recently, she was third in a Group 2 event over seven furlongs on turf at Deauville in France.

Coach Lori, by Cairo Prince Last Beyer: 61

◗ She debuted on Aug. 3, capturing a five-furlong sprint on the inner turf course with a 61 Beyer Speed Figure.

◗ Coach Lori is one of three entrants in the field for trainer Mark Casse, who has won this race seven times.

Secret Stash, by Mukhadram Beyers: NA-NA

◗ She’ll make her North American debut Sunday, but could run in the Grade 1 Summer Stakes instead, as Casse has cross-entered her in both events.

◗ She was privately purchased following her maiden win in July in Ireland and has been training in Kentucky.

“We’ve had her in Kentucky for a while,” Casse said. “We tried to run her in a stakes at Kentucky Downs, but unfortunately she didn’t get in. So, this is Plan B.”