Guarana looks like standout in Madison

They’ll run the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint at seven furlongs on Nov. 7 at Keeneland.

A dress rehearsal under pretty much the same conditions – well, the July heat aside – is set for Saturday, when the Grade 1 Madison is run at seven furlongs as part of a terrific Blue Grass Stakes card at the Lexington, Ky., track.

Guarana, a winner in four of five career starts, figures as a decisive favorite for Chad Brown when she faces eight other fillies and mares in this 19th running of the $250,000 Madison. A Three Chimneys homebred now also co-owned by Hill ‘n’ Dale Equine Holdings, Guarana scarcely could have been more impressive when she returned to action last month at Churchill Downs following a layoff of more than eight months, dominating an allowance race designed as a Madison prep.

“She’s done everything right since then,” said Whit Beckman, the Brown assistant overseeing the Kentucky string. “She breezed well within herself last Saturday and seems to be coming into this the way we’d want.”

Guarana will have Jose Ortiz aboard when she breaks from post 5. The 4-year-old Ghostzapper filly began her career with a 14 3/4-length romp in an April 2019 maiden race at Keeneland, then quickly became a multiple Grade 1 winner by capturing the Acorn and Coaching Club American Oaks in her next two races. After Guarana finished second as the 11-10 favorite in the Grade 1 Cotillion, Brown decided against sending her to

Santa Anita for the BC Filly and Mare Sprint, opting instead to give her a freshening ahead of what he hopes will be another productive year, quite possibly ending with the Filly and Mare Sprint.

If Guarana is to be upset, Mia Mischief or Bell’s the One could pull it off.

Mia Mischief (post 7, Ricardo Santana Jr.) has won 10 of 22 starts and more than $1.2 million, with a victory in the Grade 1 Humana Distaff last year being her most notable feat. She’ll probably have to contend early with Amy’s Challenge, a similarly speedy 5-yearold who’s drawn to her outside in post 9 with Joel Rosario.

Bell’s the One (post 8, Corey Lanerie) won the Grade 2 Raven Run last fall at Keeneland at 13-1 and the Grade 3 Winning Colors at Churchill, also at 13-1, in her most recent start. She is trained by Neil Pessin.

Sally’s Curlin (post 3, Joe Talamo) could loom a late threat when she makes her first start since rallying to win the Grade 3 Hurricane Bertie at Gulfstream Park on March 14.

“She got a little time after that, mostly because there wasn’t anywhere to run because of the coronavirus situation,” said her trainer, Dale Romans. “She’s come back real well. We’ve had our eye on this for a while.”

Rounding out the cast are Diamond Crazy, Wildwood’s Beauty, Princess Causeway, and Unique Factor.

As the fifth of 10 Saturday races, the Madison starts a 50-cent all-graded-stakes pick five that ends with the Blue Grass (race 9). It goes at 3:18 p.m. Eastern.