A day after the speedy La Verdad demonstrated she can come from off the pace to win a horse race, trainer Linda Rice appeared to call an audible and is now considering Saturday’s (Oct. 31) $1 million, Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint for the 5-year-old Lady Sheila Stables runner.
After La Verdad’s 3-3/4-length win the $150,000 Iroquois for New York-bred fillies and mares, Rice said she was willing to “take what’s in front of you” and settle for the $90,000 Iroquois winner’s check.
The morning after seemed to have dawned brighter for La Verdad for a very significant reason.
The daughter of Yes It’s True from the Hook and Ladder mare Noble Fire is a proven Grade 2 winner. She is also entered in the November Fasig-Tipton sale of breeding prospects. A Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup win would seriously increase her value to Sheila Rosenblum, the mistress of Lady Sheila Stable.
“It’s been a hectic week trying to evaluate all our options. It’s been a very difficult decision, what do with her in the Breeders’ Cup,” said Rice, who decided to experiment in the Iroquois by trying La Verdad outside of her characteristic front-running style.
Commenting on her reason for entering the state-bred stake instead of waiting for the Breeders’ Cup, Rice said, “We wanted 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,” she said.
Noting “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 Sheila feels better about it too.”
Running in the Breeders’ Cup and then going to the sale is a series of pluses according to Rice. “She’s going to move on to her new career soon. 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 1 and we’re going to give her a chance,” Rice concluded.
Thus, the plan is in the works for the van ride to Lexington and a start against last year’s B.C. Filly Sprint Judy the Beauty and a dozen others who are all looking to enhance their records.
La Verdad drew post 4 and was list at odds of 6-1.
Rice added she will pass on the Breeders’ Cup Sprint for Palace, the winner of the Hudson Handicap on the New York Showcase card. Instead, he will be pointed at the Grade 3 Fall Highweight at Aqueduct Thanksgiving weekend or the $350,000 Frank deFrancis Memorial Dash at Laurel on Nov. 14.