BY BROCK SHERIDAN
A trio of Florida-breds travel to Laurel Park Saturday for the $150,000 Selima, a crowded affair for 2-year-old fillies at a mile-and-a-sixteenth on the turf. As Catch Can, Social Love and Good Long Cry will represent the Sunshine State among the 16 fillies entered, including two under main track only conditions.
As Catch Can is the only winner among the Florida-breds having taken a maiden special weight for fillies going a mile on the Colonial Downs grass last out on Aug. 16.
Trained by Jonathan Thomas for George Strawbridge Jr.’s Augustin Stables, As Catch Can is by Mo Town out of Just a Catch, by Justin Phillip and was bred in Florida by Loren Nichols.
As Catch Can was purchased by Donato Lanni as agent for $210,000 out of the Top Line Sales consignment at the Ocala Breeders’ Sales Spring Sale. She has since earned $53,400 in three starts.
She has post three and jockey Vincent Cheminaud.
Black Type Thoroughbreds and Swinbank Stables’ Good Long Cry is the only Florida-bred—and one of three in the field—with stakes experience. She debuted in the $106,000 Royal Palm Juvenile Fillies going five furlongs on the turf at Gulfstream Park on May 11, finishing fifth behind winner Bullet.
She has three seconds in as many starts since, all against special weight maiden fillies on the turf. She was second to Warming going six furlongs on June 21 during the Belmont at Big A meet, then finished behind Reining Flowers, but ahead of As Catch Can in third, going a mile-and-a-sixteenth at Saratoga Race Course on July 28. Last out, she just missed by a half-length to Opulent Restraint at the same distance at Saratoga on Sept. 1.
Good Long Cry is by Long On Value out of High Cry, by Street Cry (Ire) and was bred in Florida by Sabana Farm LLC.
An earner of $62,900, Good Long Cry has Angel Cruz named to ride. They have post 10 in the program, but My Charm is entered under main track only conditions to their inside.
Trainer Jaime Ness has entered Social Love, a homebred bay filly for Joseph M. Imbesi, who stands sire Social Inclusion at his Briardale Farm in Belleview, Fla.
While she is winless in three starts, she was just missed catching Selima-rival Dear Louise in a seven-and-a-half-furlong maiden special weight on the Delaware Park grass two starts back on Aug. 15. Last out, the late-running Social Love was sixth, but less than three lengths behind winner Paradise Wins and runner-up Winning Streep going a mile-and-a-sixteenth on the grass at Laurel on Sept. 8. Winning Streep also returns in the Selima.
Social Love is out of Devilish Love, by Not For Love and does not have a rider named at press time.
She has post five while looking to add to her $11,290 bankroll.
Rounding out the Selima entries are Swan House with Sheldon Russell aboard, Sweet Treasure will carry Victor Carrasco, Correto and jockey Jorge Ruiz, Sail Theseven Seas will have Horacio Karamanos in the irons, Daniel Centeno rides Bembridge Ledge, Pure Majestic has Jevian Toledo taking the call, Dear Louise with Ben Curtis aboard, Abel Adorno will guide Winning Streep, Burner Account will have Adam Bowman aboard, Bonne Fille and jockey Gavin Ashton and Jorge Ruiz is also named on Serene Spirit. Strong Like Sara is the other filly entered under main track only conditions.
