Rice: La Verdad Headed to Breeders' Cup

Trainer Linda Rice told the New York Racing Association communications department Oct. 25 that Lady Sheila Stable's La Verdad, who won the Iroquois Stakes for New York-breds at Belmont Park the previous day, will be entered in the Oct. 31 Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (gr. I).

La Verdad was pre-entered in the Filly & Mare Sprint and the Breeders' Cup Sprint (gr. I).

"It has been a hectic week, trying to evaluate all our options. It has been a very difficult decision: What to do with her in the Breeders' Cup," said Rice, who decided to experiment in the Iroquois by trying La Verdad outside of her characteristic front-running style. "We wanted to let the speed run away from her and see how she would do before we spent the money to run seven furlongs, and it went beautifully.

"As she has gotten older, she has rated better. She's more relaxed. She's such a pro and she'll let the speed run away from her. It makes me feel better about running her the seven furlongs."

Undefeated in six starts this year, the 5-year-old mare and four-time grade II winner by Yes It's True   is consigned to the Fasig-Tipton November sale.

"She's going to move on to her new career soon," Rice said. "Any way you look at it, there's not a lot to lose for her; it's all upside. The only thing she's missing is a grade I, and we're going to give her a chance."