La Verdad Chases Grade I in Ballerina

Lady Shelia Stable's La Verdad put on a show last time out, romping by four lengths in the July 29 Honorable Miss (gr. II) over a field that included champion Judy the Beauty.

The 5-year-old New York-bred daughter of Yes It's True   will put her four-race win streak on the line Aug. 29 in the $500,000 Ballerina Stakes (gr. I) at Saratoga Race Course, sharing highweight assignment with grade I winner Dame Dorothy in a field of eight. Both will carry 124 pounds.

Trained by Linda Rice, La Verdad is undefeated this year. In addition to the Honorable Miss, she took the Dancin Renee Stakes, the Vagrancy Handicap (gr. III), and the Distaff Handicap (gr. II). Last year she was fifth after showing the way in the Ballerina, her one and only try at the grade I level. But she was also fifth one start prior in the 2014 edition of the Honorable Miss, the same race she came back and won impressively this season.

NOVAK: La Verdad Cruises in Honorable Miss

Regular rider Jose Ortiz has the mount on La Verdad from post 2 as she looks to add to her bankroll which already totals $1,170,700.

Dame Dorothy, who took the May 2 Humana Distaff (gr. I) over Judy the Beauty at Churchill Downs to secure her first grade I victory for Bobby Flay and trainer Todd Pletcher, also comes into the seven-furlong Ballerina in good form and should be well-rested. The Pennsylvania-bred Bernardini   filly won the June 20 Bed O' Roses Handicap (gr. III) last out at Belmont Park by 1 1/2 lengths over Ballerina rival Street Story.

BALAN: Dame Dorothy Speeds to Bed O' Roses Victory

Javier Castellano will ride Dame Dorothy from the 6 hole.

July 5 Princess Rooney (gr. II) winner Merry Meadow and Iowa Oaks (gr. III) victress Sarah Sis are also of interest. Room for Me, Kiss to Remember, and Unbridled Forever complete the field.

The Ballerina is the seventh race on a 13-race Saturday program that features the grade I Travers Stakes, which will go as race 11.