Godolphin Holds Ace With Fair Maiden in Natalma

Fair Maiden was impressive Aug. 17 when romping by 7 1/2 lengths in the Catch A Glimpse Stakes over 6 1/2 furlongs of yielding turf at Woodbine. The Godolphin homebred will return from her Chicago base to that same course seeking to extend her win streak to three Sept. 15 when she starts in the $250,000 Natalma Stakes (G1T) over a mile.

The Natalma is a Breeders' Cup "Win and You're In" event for the Nov. 1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1T) at Santa Anita Park.

Fair Maiden, conditioned by Eoin Harty, had started twice on Arlington International Race Course's Polytrack prior to shipping to Woodbine for the Catch A Glimpse. After placing second in her 4 1/2-furlong career opener she then then delivered a maiden score at five furlongs by 14 1/4 lengths. In the Catch A Glimpse, the Street Boss —Sheildmaiden, by Smart Strike filly stalked the early leader and then took charge for an emphatic victory in her first start on turf.

"After that, the Natalma became a prime consideration for her," said Harty. "At this time of year, there are a lot of opportunities for 2-year-olds but she got over the course up there really well."

Fair Maiden has breezed twice at Arlington since the Catch A Glimpse, the latest a five-furlong spin Sept. 10 in 1:02.

"She didn't work that fast but she worked very well," said Harty, who also believes the stretch-out to a mile will be no obstacle. "I really don't think she'll have distance limitations, especially when it comes to a mile."

Harty has secured the services of Flavien Prat for the Natalma, replacing Emma-Jayne Wilson who was injured in a spill last week.

European-trained horses have won the past two editions of the Natalma with La Pelosa last year following the the 2017 victory of Capla Temptress. Arriving Sept. 9 from England via Amsterdam for this year's running was Walk In Marrakesh.

Conditioned by Mark Johnston in England, Walk in Marrakesh is a three-time winner from five starts. The daughter of Siyouni's last four outings have been at about seven furlongs; the latest being a trip to France for a third-place finish over "soft" going in the Prix du Calvados (G2) at Deauville.

Meanwhile Diamond Sparkles, winner of an allowance race over seven furlongs of "good" turf when making her second career appearance in England, will make her North American debut and first start for trainer Mark Casse. The Kentucky-bred War Front  filly was purchased privately by Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Gary Barber. Casse has won a record seven renewals of the Natalma, including three in a row from 2014-16.

"She's a really nice filly," said Casse. "Her race in England looks very good, and she's been training well over there, so I would expect her to run well."

In addition to Diamond Sparkle, Casse will be represented by Coach Lori and he has entered Secret Stash in both the Natalma and its companion feature, the Summer Stakes (G1T), run under the same terms but open to both sexes. Owned by Gov. Brereton C. Jones, Coach Lori rallied from last place in a field of seven to prevail by a neck in her Aug. 3 debut over five furlongs on the inner turf at Woodbine.

"She got away a little slow, and I didn't think she had any chance at all, and she was able to get up and win," said Casse. "She's come back and trained about as good as any 2-year-old filly we've ever had."

Secret Stash, purchased privately by Barber after winning second time out in her native Ireland, will be making her North American debut in the Natalma.

"We've had her in Kentucky for a while," said Casse. "We tried to run her in a stakes at Kentucky Downs, but unfortunately she didn't get in. So, this is Plan B. "I think the mile will be ideal for all three fillies.

Also shipping in from south of the border will be Abscond, trained by Kentucky-based Eddie Kenneally. Abscond scored first out on 5 1/2 furlongs of Ellis Park turf and then finished second at Saratoga Race Course over the same distance and surface in the Bolton Landing Stakes.

Entries: Natalma S. (G1T)

Woodbine, Sunday, September 15, 2019, Race 9

• Grade IT
• 1m
• Turf
• $250,000
• 2 yo Fillies
• 5:49 PM (local)

PP	Horse	Jockey	Wgt	Trainer	M/L
1	1Walk In Marrakesh (IRE)	Jamie P. Spencer	121	Mark Johnston	5/2
2	2Diamond Sparkles (KY)	Tyler Gaffalione	121	Mark E. Casse	10/1
3	3Fair Maiden (KY)	Flavien Prat	121	Eoin G. Harty	6/5
4	4Runway Dreamer (KY)	Luis Contreras	121	Josie Carroll	20/1
5	5Saratoga Vision (KY)	Jeffrey Ian Alderson	121	Alexander P. Patykewich	20/1
6	6Coach Lori (KY)	John R. Velazquez	121	Mark E. Casse	8/1
7	7Secret Stash (IRE)	Tyler Gaffalione	121	Mark E. Casse	6/1
8	8Abscond (KY)	Irad Ortiz, Jr.	121	Eddie Kenneally	8/1