Can They Handle the Truth?

After missing an intended start in the GI Ballerina S. at Saratoga due to inflammation in her hind leg, the streaking La Verdad (Yes It’s True) headlines Saturday’s GII Gallant Bloom H. at Belmont Park.

The bay is a perfect four-for-four since turning five and has posted triple-digit Beyer Speed Figures in her latest three tallies, including a half-length decision over Room for Me (Harlington) in the GIII Vagrancy H. here May 16 and a four-length victory over Street Story (Street Cry {Ire}) in the GII Honorable Miss H. at the Spa most recently July 29.

La Verdad, a narrow second in this race last year, has won six of seven career starts at Belmont Park. A good effort here will most likely lead to a start in the GI Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint at Keeneland.

“Last year, we didn’t [supplement] her into [the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint] in California for several reasons–one, she had been in training for a year and a half at that point and she was a little bit tough,” trainer Linda Rice said. “I knew she was a tired horse at the time. Plus, we had to go all the way to California and run seven-eighths. This year, she’s pretty fresh and in better form. It’s still seven-eighths, but if she runs a big race in this next one, we’ll probably put her in.”

‘TDN Rising Star’ Dame Dorothy (Bernardini) looks to atone for a puzzling sixth in the Ballerina Aug. 29. A narrow winner over champion Judy the Beauty (Ghostzapper) in the GI Humana Distaff at Churchill Downs May 2, she bested the aforementioned Street Story by 1 1/2 lengths in the GIII Bed o’ Roses H. here June 20.

“She’s training well,” said Todd Pletcher assistant trainer Byron Hughes. “She shipped down from Saratoga the other day and seems to have come out of her last race in good form. It seems like 6 1/2 to 7 furlongs looks to be her preferred distance, so we’re hoping for a big effort.”