Coffee Clique (Medaglia d'Oro), off since a narrow win in Belmont's GI Longines Just a Game S. June 7, takes a three-race winning streak into Saturday's GII Honey Fox S. at Gulfstream Park. The Amerman Racing homebred won her two other starts in 2014 as well, including the GII Churchill Distaff Turf Mile S. May 3.
“She had some bone bruising after that race, so we gave her the best part of the late summer off,” trainer Brian Lynch said. “She's been fantastic. We've had a hiccup free preparation. She hasn't missed a beat, hasn't missed a work, so she's really trained up to this race very nicely. Fingers crossed.”
Javier Castellano, aboard Coffee Clique in her last two wins, lands on Al Shaqab Racing's Sandiva (Ire) (Footstepsinthesand {GB}). A multiple group winner overseas, Sandiva has turned it on in her most recent two attempts, capturing the Tropical Park Oaks Dec. 20 and GIII Suwannee River S. Feb. 7, respectively.
“She's run some great races down here and has turned into a really, really solid filly,” trainer Todd Pletcher said. “She continues to train well. We were hopeful. It seemed like it took her a while to acclimate [to the United States]. One thing we've been really pleased with is she's put on weight since she's been here and strengthened quite a bit and that seems to be helping her in her races. Hopefully that continues.”
Swettenham Stud's Lady Lara (Ire) (Excellent Art {GB}), a smart winner while making her U.S. debut in Belmont's Pebbles S. Oct. 13, makes her first attempt since a troubled second in Churchill's GII Mrs. Revere S. Nov. 15.
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