Spendarella Shelved for Season, True Valour Targets BC
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Photo: Keeneland/Coady Photography
Spendarella could return for a 2023 campaign
Gainesway Stable's homebred grade 1 winner Spendarella will miss the remainder of the season after "a minor setback," trainer Graham Motion confirmed to BloodHorse the evening of Sept. 3.
"Spendarella will do rehab at Gainesway (Farm in Lexington) and come back to me around Christmastime to get ready for a 4-year-old campaign," Motion said.
Daily Racing Form first reported news of the Aug. 20 Del Mar Oaks (G1T) winner being sent to the sidelines. The 3-year-old daughter of Karakontie was targeting the Oct. 15 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup Presented by Dixiana (G1T) at Keeneland in what was to have been her final start of the year.
Spendarella graduated first time out at Gulfstream Park in February before stringing together consecutive wins in the Herecomesthebride Stakes (G3T) and Appalachian Stakes Presented by Japan Racing Association (G2T). She then ran a brilliant second to European superstar Inspiral in the June 17 Coronation Stakes (G1) at Royal Ascot, her only loss.
Motion also reported Larry Johnson's multiple graded stakes winner True Valour will make his next start in the $1 million Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (G1T) Nov. 5 at Keeneland. The Kodiac 8-year-old had his first work back Saturday morning since exiting a gritty runner-up finish to Golden Pal in the Aug. 5 Troy Stakes (G3T) at Saratoga Race Course. He breezed an easy half-mile in :51 1/5 on the Tapeta track at Motion's Fair Hill Training Center base.