Yatta Gets First Stakes Test in Selima

Four stakes, topped by the $150,000 Selima Stakes and $150,000 Laurel Futurity, highlight the first Saturday of the fall meet at Laurel Park Sept. 30.

A notable success story from the Selima occurred in 2019 when Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Gainesway Stable's Sharing  took the race in fast time for trainer Graham Motion before a 13-1 upset in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1T) at Santa Anita Park.

This year, Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Motion are again represented in the 1 1/16-mile turf race, this time with Yatta , a Yoshida   filly who broke her maiden in her third start in a high-value maiden race at Kentucky Downs Sept. 7.

The opposition includes:

• The George Weaver-trained Brocknardini , who, after scoring by 4 3/4 lengths at Saratoga Race Course, ran 12th with a troubled trip in the Natalma Stakes (G1T) at Woodbine.
• Positive Carry , second in her lone start at Saratoga for trainer Chad Brown.

The Laurel Futurity is headed by Tropandhagen , a Demarchelier   colt who was a four-length winner of his only race at Monmouth Park Sept. 3 for owner Peter Kazamias and trainer Dimitrios Synnefias.

Others bring stakes experience into the Laurel Futurity, also at 1 1/16 miles on turf. Among those are Air Recruit , third in the Rosie's Stakes at Colonial Downs, and Wine Collector , sixth in the With Anticipation Stakes (G3T) at Saratoga.

There is a threat of rain in the long-term forecast.