BY BROCK SHERIDAN

Although Red White and Blue Racing’s Niche is 2-1 on the morning line for Saturday’s $225,000 Coronation Cup (Grade 3) at Saratoga, the Florida-bred filly needs the race to come off the turf for her to make the starting gate as she is entered under main track only conditions. Otherwise, trainer Rob Atras has her pointed to Monday’s $100,000 Lady Erie Stakes at Presque Isle Downs scheduled for six furlongs on their all-weather track. The Coronation Cup is for 3-year-old fillies going five-and-a-half furlongs on the Mellon turf course. 

Either way, Niche will be trying for her third straight win since breaking her maiden versus fillies in her fifth try at Laurel Park on April 17. Unsuccessful in four maiden special weight races at Fair Grounds during the winter, three of which were on turf, Niche broke through with a wire-to-wire score in a six-furlong maiden special weight, winning by a length-and-a-quarter. Atras then sent her to Aqueduct for her next race on May 16, and she again led at every point of call during six-and-a-half furlongs to take a first level allowance race by three lengths.

Niche has now won two of six career starts with earnings of $85,360. A $275,000 purchase by bloodstock agent Marshall Taylor for Red White and Blue at the 2024 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Yearling Sale, Niche was consigned by Francis and Barbara Vanlangendonck’s Summerfield.

She is by Yaupon out of Stormbeforethecalm, by Quiet American and was bred in Florida by Summerfield Sales Agency and Etarip Stable. A win at Saratoga would garner the breeders a $5,000 Export Incentive from the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association if the race remains graded while a victory in the Lady Erie would produce a $4,000 Export Incentive check. In the event that the Coronation comes off the turf, it may be subject to downgrading up review by the Graded Stakes Committee. In that case, Niche would earn a $4,000 Export Incentive with a win.

Niche has post seven in the Coronation Cup and post nine in the field of 10 entered for the Lady Erie. Dylan Davis is named to ride in both contests.  

Return to the July 16 issue of Wire to Wire