CARINA MIA SHINES AGAIN AT SARATOGA
Grade 1 winner captures Shine Again in 1st race for Chad Brown
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. » In her first race since being moved to Chad Brown’s barn, Carina Mia was sent off as a 1-2 favorite.
Her performance backed up the high expectations of the public.
Carina Mia rated behind the early leaders then took control at the top of the stretch to win the Shine Again Stakes Wednesday at Saratoga Race Course.
“I had a lot of respect for (Carina Mia),” Brown said of the newcomer to his stable from Bill Mott. “I ran against her. I’m impressed, she trains well. A good looking filly and she has a good team of people behind her. I’m a lucky guy.”
It was the 4-year- old filly’s first win since June 11, 2016 when she won the Grade 1 Acorn at Belmont. In her next six races, Grade 1s that included the Coaching Club American Oaks and Balarina at Saratoga, she failed to win but hit the board four times (0-2-2).
The winless streak ended Wednesday despite a nice move along the rail by Irad Ortiz Jr. aboard Going for Broke — another Brown entry. She made Carina Mia work but never really threatened to win.
“When Carina moved off the
rail and ended up opening, Irad took advantage of it, Going for Broke,” Brown, a native of Mechanicville said. “I put her in here knowing she could run well, knowing 7 (furlongs) is a little short for her, trying to get her started after a very lengthy break last year where she was knocking on the door of being a top 3-year- old dirt filly. I’m so pleased with her running as good as she did, running at a distance shorter than she wants.”
Indulgent got up for third and Momameamaria took fourth. Birdatthewire, the other Grade 1 winner in the race, went off at nearly 5-1 odds and finished fifth. The final time over the fast main track was 1:22.23. Carina Mia paid $3.10 to win.
Javier Castellano, who took over riding duties from Ortiz, saw the race unfold as he wanted it to.
“I didn’t want to ... go to the lead and chase speed,” Castellano said. “I think I had the perfect trip. I had a lot of confidence because I knew I had the best filly in the race and she gave me the best result. She put me in an amazing spot in the race and when the time to ask (came) she responded so well.”
Brown thought Castellano’s experience under the pressure of being a heavy favorite played a part in the win. Carina Mia was behind Absatootly when she started to fade. That’s when Castallano made his move.
“I was concerned because it looked like (Absatootly) in front of him was getting ready to stop,” Brown said. “But I chose Javier to ride this horse. He’s been in these situations plenty of time. He bided his time ... hoping he could find a seam because he knew what kind of horse he had under him.” Brown mentioned the Personal Ensign as a possible next step for both Carina Mia and Going for Broke if the both come away from the race well.