Dynaslew led almost every step of the way last month in the nine-furlong Diana Stakes (G1) on the Saratoga lawn and finished fourth, just a neck behind turf stars such as Proviso and Forever Together in a thrilling blanket finish. Though she came up short, trainer Seth Benzel said his Florida-bred filly succeeded in earning respect.
“She came out of the race in super shape,” Benzel said. “Going in, there were a lot of people who didn’t really think she fit with those kinds of mares, but we had a lot of confidence in her. I was just happy for her that she proved she belonged, and we’re looking forward to her showing up again in the Ballston Spa.”
Dynaslew, a homebred for Ocala’s Live Oak Plantation, returns today in the $250,000 Ballston Spa Stakes (G2), a seven-furlong sprint on the Saratoga inner turf course. The wide-open race drew a field of 10 fillies and mares, including Florida-bred Scolara.
Dynaslew raced last year for trainer Bill Mott and won two of her seven starts in 2009, including a two-length victory in a $53,000 allowance going a mile on the Saratoga lawn. Since joining Benzel’s barn this year, the 4-year-old daughter of Dynaformer has taken big strides forward. She’s won two of her four starts this year, including a 3 ¼-length score in the Beaugay Stakes (G3) on the Belmont Park turf in May.
Dynaslew has won four of her 12 starts and earned $245,852. She drew the No. 7 post and will have Eibar Coa aboard as an 8-1 choice on the morning line.
“We definitely looked at this race as an option coming out of the Diana,” Benzel said. “The distance, I think, is perfect for her. It’s a Grade 2, and that would be a great thing to add to her résumé. All systems are go. She looks great, and she’s ready to tackle these horses.”
Starting just inside of her in post No. 6 will be Scolara a homebred for Ocala’s Haras Santa Maria dé Araras operation. The 5-year-old daughter of Quiet American finished second behind Dynaslew in the Beaugay. Most recently, she was fourth behind Cherokee Queen in the $200,000 Dr. James Penny Memorial Handicap at Philadelphia Park on July 5.
Scolara, who will be looking for her first graded stakes win, has won five of her 23 starts for $405,239. She’ll have Kent Desormeaux aboard as a 12-1 choice.
“It’s going to be a tough race, and hopefully she’s going to run well,” said Dr. Ignacio Leon, the farm manager at Haras Santa Maria de Araras. “I don’t know if she’s up to that level because in her races lately, she’s just a little bit short of that quality of horse. We were thinking of entering her in an overnight stakes or something easy, but (trainer Bill Mott) likes the way she’s been training and how she looks, so we decided to take a shot.”
The field also includes Miss Keller (7-2), Danzon (20-1), Phola (4-1), Silver Reunion (10-1), Strike the Bell (15-1), Cherokee Queen (6-1), Maram (5-1) and Mekong Melody (6-1).
Miss Keller won the $70,000 De La Rose Stakes on the Saratoga lawn Aug. 4. Phola finished sixth in the Diana but won the Distaff Turf Mile (G2) at Churchill Downs in May and the Hillsborough Stakes (G3) at Tampa Bay Downs in March. Maram was fifth in the Diana after winning the $97,000 Miss Liberty Stakes at Monmouth Park last month. Mekong Melody won the Dance Smartly Stakes (G2) on Woodbine’s turf course last month.
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Photo by Coglianese
