By Bill Finley
Though firm plans have yet to be made for his filly's next start, owner Chuck Zacney reports that it is unlikely that Cathryn Sophia (Street Boss) will start in the GI Breeders' Cup Distaff. Zacney said he and trainer John Servis are leaning toward going instead in the GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint, but added that the Oct. 22 GII Lexus Raven Run at Keeneland is also an option.
Cathryn Sophia finished third in the GI Cotillion S. at Parx, beaten 12 1/2 lengths by Songbird (Medaglia d'Oro). Zacney said it was discovered after the race that his filly was sick and believes that affected her performance.
“We got some tests back after the Cotillion saying she had a high white blood cell count right after the race and we think that could be part of the reason she ran somewhat of a dull race,” Zacney said. “We'll figure out within the next week or two what we're going to do and then go from there. I think we can draw a line though her last race. We had a lot of expectations that if ever there was a race where Songbird was vulnerable, this was the one. Looking at the splits, the fractions, I don't want to take anything away from Songbird as I certainly think she is the real deal, but at same time I don't think our filly ran her best race either.”
Another factor that Zacney and Servis have to consider is the strength of the Distaff field. Even though their filly is a winner of the GI Kentucky Oaks, they would be running into a star-studded lineup in the Distaff, which is expected to include Songbird, Beholder (Henny Hughes) and Stellar Wind (Curlin). The latter defeated Beholder for the second straight time in the GI Zenyatta at Santa Anita Saturday.
“We're not totally eliminating the Distaff but it looks like that race is coming up really, really tough,” Zacney said.
Distance-wise, the Filly & Mare Sprint looks like a good fit for Cathryn Sophia as she is 2 for 2 at the seven-furlong distance, including a win in the GII Forward Gal S. at Gulfstream.
Zacney added that it has not yet been determined yet if Cathryn Sophia will race next year.
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