La Verdad Back in Cup Picture
Updated: October 25, 2015 at 9:08 pm
La Verdad (Yes It’s True), who was an easy winner of Saturday’s Iroquois S. at Belmont, will take her spot in next Saturday’s GI Breeders’ Cup F/M Sprint, trainer Linda Rice confirmed Sunday.
“It’s been a hectic week, trying to evaluate all our options,” Rice admitted. “It’s been a very difficult decision, what do with her in the Breeders’ Cup.”
Normally on the lead, La Verdad stalked the pace in the Iroquois and Rice said the successful change in tactics led to the decision to wheel the mare back in the Breeders’ Cup and stretch out to seven furlongs.
“We wanted to let the speed run away from her and see how she would do before we spent the money to run seven furlongs, and it went beautifully,” Rice explained. “As she’s gotten older, she’s rated better. She’s more relaxed. She’s such a pro and she’ll let the speed run away from her. It makes me feel better about running her the seven furlongs and [owner] Sheila [Rosenblum] feels better about it too.”
Undefeated in six starts this term–all at either six or 6 1/2 furlongs, the 5-year-old La Verdad is entered in the Fasig-Tipton November sale as hip 88.
“She’s going to move on to her new career soon,” Rice said. “Any way you look at it, there’s not a lot to lose for her, it’s all upside. The only thing she’s missing is a Grade I and we’re going to give her a chance.”