Coppa Looks to Remain Perfect in Prioress

Anthony Fanticola and Joseph Scardino's Coppa (Yesbyjimminy) looks to take her record to a perfect four-for-four in Saratoga's GII Prioress S. Sunday. A debut winner at Del Mar Nov. 1, the Phil D'Amato trainee wired an optional claimer at Santa Anita next out May 21 and made her first trip east a winning one, by showing a new dimension coming from off the pace in Belmont's GIII Victory Ride S. July 9.

The West Coast invader has plenty of competition in Sunday's test, including Newtown Anner Stud and J Stables' Grade I winner Off the Tracks (Curlin). Previously trained by Roderick Rodriguez, she was transferred to Todd Pletcher when Newtown Anner Stud bought a controlling interest and finished third in the GII Gulfstream Oaks Apr. 2. Runner-up to “TDN Rising Star” Carina Mia (Malibu Moon) in Belmont's GI Acorn S. June 11, the bay went gate-to-wire to collect her first win at the highest level in that venue's GI Mother Goose S. July 2 and was third last time in the GI Test S. here Aug. 6.

Kiaran McLaughlin sends out a trio of runners in this test, which he won last year with recent GI Personal Ensign S. heroine Cavorting (Bernardini). Godolphin Racing's Kareena (Medaglia d'Oro) was tabbed a “TDN Rising Star” off an ultra-impressive second-out graduation at Keeneland Apr. 16 and followed suit with a dominant victory in Belmont's Jersey Girl S. June 10. The bay finished sixth last time after dueling through hot fractions as the favorite in the Test.

Shadwell Stable's Takrees (Daaher) will break alongside her stablemate in this step up in company. A neck second to the reopposing Lost Raven (Uncle Mo) in Aqueduct's Cicada S. Mar. 26, the bay was fourth to GSW Flatterywillgetyou (Flatter) in an optional claimer downstate May 1 and captured a six-furlong test here last time July 22. Rounding out the McLaughlin contingent is James and Tammy McKenney's Coniah (Harlington), who is making her debut for this barn after finishing third in the GIII Rancho Bernardo H. for trainer William Morey.

“The reason we entered three is that it's a really prestigious race,” said McLaughlin. “It's one of the last straight 3-year-old filly sprints. We don't have any black type on two of the three, and it's important for Kareena and Takrees. Coniah we just got from California for a new owner [James McKenney], who wanted to run in the race. I said, 'sure.'”