Salama on to Breeders’ Cup

Maria Santa Stable’s Salama (Desert Party), who earned an automatic berth into the GI Longines Breeders’ Cup Distaff with her win in the G3 Clasico Cesar del Rio, will continue on to the championship event after running second in her U.S. debut in a Keeneland optional claimer last Saturday.

“That was always the plan: to get a race in her rather than breeze up to a race of that caliber,” trainer Charlie LoPresti said. “It is tough enough as it is.”

Salama was making her first start outside of Peru and her first outing in 16 weeks when she came up 3/4-lengths short of Lavender Chrissie (Scat Daddy) in Saturday’s nine-furlong race.

“The chart said she was getting to the winner,” LoPresti said of Salama. “I wish she could have won by three-quarters of a length. She came out of the race well and was full of energy after the race.”

Salama, who has won five of nine lifetime starts, has been with LoPresti’s string since the end of July.

“She’s a 3-year-old and she’s done nothing wrong,” LoPresti said. “The owners are realistic. She won a ‘Win and You’re In’ race, so it is all paid for, so why not take a chance?”

The Clasico Cesar del Rio is Salama’s only group victory to date and LoPresti acknowledged the Distaff will be a big step up for the filly, a $13,000 Keeneland September yearling of 2013.

“I imagine we will be 20-1 in there,” LoPresti said. “But without Beholder (Henny Hughes) in there, it could be anybody’s race.”