TDN APB: Testa Rossi

TESTA ROSSI (FR) 
(f, 3, Dr Fong–Peggy Lane {Fr}, by Dancing Spree) 
O-James Covello, Thomas Coleman & DMZ Racing Stable; B-Barbara Moser (Fr); T-Chad Brown. Lifetime Record: 7-4-2-0, $355,422. Last Start: 2nd GI BC Juv. Fillies Turf at Santa Anita Nov. 1

Testa Rossi (Fr) (Dr Fong), a bit unlucky when second behind the ill-fated Chriselliam (Ire) (Iffraaj {GB}) in last year’s GI Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf at Santa Anita Nov. 1 (video), is eyeing a return to the races in the GIII Florida Oaks at Tampa Bay Mar. 8. Trained by Chad Brown, the 2013 GIII Miss Grillo S. heroine is in steady training at Palm Meadows, most recently completing a four-furlong breeze in :49.35 Feb. 10. 

“Testa Rossi is training great,” co-owner James Covello (click here for a TDN owner profile) commented. “The plan since the Breeders’ Cup has been to bring her back in the Florida Oaks, and so far, we are right on track. She’s had five breezes back after a little post-Breeders’ Cup break and she will have a few more before the race.” 

If all goes well in her seasonal debut, Testa Rossi will be aimed at the prestigious GI Ashland S. over Keeneland’s Polytrack Apr. 5., a race Covello is quite familiar with after Lilacs and Lace (Flower Alley)’s 48-1 upset in 2011. She has made all seven of her previous runs on grass, including three straight wins in her native land before being purchased privately. 

“We like Tampa’s turf course and if she runs well, the timing sets her up well to come back in a race like the Ashland,” Covello explained. “It was a huge thrill to win the Ashland with Lilacs and Lace a few years ago and I have a real appreciation for what running well in a race like that means.” 

Testa Rossi rallied smartly from last of 14 once she found racing room in the stretch to finish a strong second at odds of 10-1 in the Juvenile Fillies Turf. 

“The Breeders’ Cup was terrific,” Covello reflected. “We thought going in that the fillies shipping from Europe were going to be the toughest competition, and the winner ran a tremendous race. She made a great trip for herself after breaking poorly, then exploded down the lane for what was really an easy win for her. It was a terrible tragedy what happened to her last week and our thoughts go out to all of her connections. Testa Rossi ran extremely well to get up for second and we think that she will be even tougher going a bit longer.” 

Covello concluded, “We are all very excited to campaign her this year.” –Steve Sherack