Casa Creed Aims for Third Consecutive Jaipur Victory

Casa Creed , the winner of the past two runnings of the Jaipur Stakes (G1T), and Caravel , the majestic mare who has won her last four starts, certainly didn't scare off the competition for this year's running of the six-furlong turf race at Belmont Park June 10. Sixteen were entered in the $400,000 Jaipur, which is a "Win and You're In" designated race for the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (G1T) at Santa Anita Park in November.

The Brad Cox-trained Caravel won last year's Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint at Keeneland and is undefeated this year in a pair of starts, including the Shakertown Stakes (G2T) against males at Keeneland April 8.

At one point, the 6-year-old daughter of Mizzen Mast  was being considered for a journey to England later this month to run at Ascot, but ultimately it was decided to keep the Pennsylvania-bred closer to home.

"She is doing great. We stepped away from the Ascot idea. I felt like with everything involved, like the shipping, it may jeopardize the rest of the season," Cox said. 

"I'm very content with this move. She has to run against the boys, but she's been successful in two of her last three tries doing that. Obviously, she has to step up here but she ran great (at Belmont) last year in the Intercontinental (Stakes, G3, a race she won)."

Tyler Gaffalione, Caravel's regular partner, has the mount from post 12 over Belmont Park's Widener Course.

The Bill Mott-trained Casa Creed, a 7-year-old son of Jimmy Creed  , is looking to become the first three-time winner of the Jaipur. Mott holds the record among trainers as a five-time winner of the race.

Just like last year, Casa Creed enters the Jaipur following a runner-up finish in the 1351 Turf Sprint Stakes (G3) at King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Saudi Arabia.

"He's doing great. I mean for a horse who made the trip to the Middle East on two different occasions, he's come back and seems to bounce back well after he has had those trips," Mott said. "He had a really big race in Saudi this year. Since he's been back, he has put in some very good works recently. He looks good; his coat is good; and he's moving well. We hope to give it another go in the Jaipur."

Casa Creed drew directly inside of Caravel, in post 11, and will be ridden by Luis Saez.

Among the others in the 14-horse body of the race are multiple graded stakes winner Arrest Me Red , second in last year's Jaipur; grade 3 winner Big Invasion ; and graded stakes winner and California invader Air Force Red . Two horses are on the also-eligible list, Coppola  and Our Shot .

Additional reporting by Bob Ehalt